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Dr Pankaj Goel, is currently working as a Director and Head of the Cardio-thoracic and Vascular (Heart, Lung and Vascular Surgery) unit at the Ivy Hospital, Amritsar.

After completing his MCh in cardio-thoracic and vascular surgery from GB Pant Hospital, Delhi University in 1998, Dr Goel worked at Madras Medical Mission, Chennai for three years. Here he obtained training in complex paediatric cases. Thereafter he went to Australia (Royal Perth Hospital) for further training and experience.

Dr Goel joined the Fortis Escorts Hospital, Amritsar in 2003. Since 2008 , in his capacity as HOD at the same hospital he has done pioneering work and established cardio-thoracic and vascular surgery in the city.

The Goel's unit now routinely performs all types of cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgeries with results comparable to the best centres in the world. Dr Goel is responsible for many firsts in the region.

Dr Goel has several research papers published in indexed journals. He has authored a book on cardiac surgery. He has an original technique for harvesting saphenous vein to his credit.

In 2009, Dr Goel was elected member of the prestigious Society of Thoracic Surgeons , USA. He is also a member of the Indian Association of Cardio-thoracic surgery and CTS Net.

At Ivy Hospital, Dr Goel routinely performs all types of Cardiac, thoracic (including thoracoscopic) and vascular procedures.


Tuesday 4 June 2019

Aortic Dissection and the Avengers Endgame













Sunday 24 March 2019

Marfans Syndrome and Aortic Dissection




Marfan’s Syndrome and Aortic Dissection

A very complex heart surgery lasting 8 hours helped save life if a 27 year old gentleman. According to Dr Pankaj Goel, Director Heart And Lung Surgery at Ivy Hospital Amritsar, this gentleman suffered from a disorder called Marfan’s syndrome. In this genetic disorder the person has a lean tall stature and problems like joint dislocation, visual impairment etc. The most serious problem , however, is that of aortic dissection. It is caused by the weakness of the wall of body’s main artery- the Aorta. Dissection of this artery leads to split in the wall and very high chance of rupture and death. If not operated immediately the risk of death is 1%every hour? Only 20% survive 2 weeks. 
This gentleman had Marfan’s syndrome and developed sudden chest pain and uneasiness. Several years ago his mother also succumbed to a similar problem on her way to Delhi as the surgery was not done in Punjab . They were aware of the consequences and took immediate medical advice. The diagnosis was confirmed on CT scan and within 30 min of reaching Ivy hospital he was in the operating room. Dr Goel and his team performed a procedure called Bentalls operation and hemiarch replacement. In this procedure the aorta along with the aortic valve are replaced and  the leak is sealed. In order to do the procedure the blood supply to brain has to be interrupted.  The body is cooled to 18 degrees, circulation stopped, the repair is done and circulation restarted. It is a race against time Dr Goel added, everything has to be done perfect the first time. Delay can lead to permanent brain damage. Only a few surgeons and hospitals have the capability of managing such patients.
The family thanked Dr Goel and Ivy Hospital for saving the life of their loved one. They had lost a family member to same disease years ago due to non availability of surgery in Amritsar. Dr Goel performed the first Aortic dissection surgery and Bentalls procedure of Amritsar in 2008 and has performed over 50 such procedures since then.
#aorticdissection #marfanssyndrome #