India’s First TAVR Procedure Performed on Lung Transplant Patient for Severe Aortic Stenosis
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India’s First TAVR Procedure Performed on Lung Transplant Patient for Severe Aortic Stenosis

Dr Ravinder Singh Rao

Dr. Ravinder Singh Rao, Interventional Structural Cardiologist and TAVR expert.

Mumbai, 2024: Medical intervention can be life-saving in dire situations. A timely and targeted intervention can add years to a patient’s life. This has never been highlighted more than in the following case of a 72-year-old woman.

The patient underwent a lung transplant surgery five years ago for severe lung disease. Recently, she faced symptoms of shortness of breath on minimal exertion, which was then diagnosed as severe aortic stenosis. There is no medicine for aortic stenosis, and in very severe cases requires a valve replacement. However, due to her prior transplant, open-heart surgery was not an elective or emergency option. She was referred to Dr Ravinder Singh Rao, Interventional Structural Cardiologist and TAVR specialist. The TAVR, or Trans-Aortic Valve Repair surgery, is a non-invasive alternative to a valve replacement. The patient underwent a CT angiography so Dr Rao could accurately plan the procedure by understanding the size of the valve and artery. This also helped the doctor understand the risk assessment of the procedure.

Severe aortic stenosis refers to the narrowing of the aortic valve, which is the heart’s main valve and controls blood flow into the body. Due to aortic stenosis, the heart pumps with greater force, which increases the pressure in the heart. This increase in pressure is reflected in the lungs. In this particular patient, this puts the transplanted lungs at risk of deterioration.

The TAVR procedure was successfully performed in the catheterization laboratory under conscious sedation by Dr Ravinder Singh Rao and the team at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai. The femoral access was obtained under ultrasound guidance. A small catheter was inserted in the femoral (groin) blood vessel. It was advanced to the heart. The new valve was positioned correctly and deployed inside the old valve. The new valve started functioning immediately. Immediately, the pressure inside the heart chambers returned to normal; hence, the pressure inside the lungs also normalised. There were no TAVR-related complications like pacemaker, stroke or leakage. There was no cut involved. A small endoscopic suture was placed inside the artery, and the entry point was sealed by closing the suture.

The patient was immediately shifted to the cardiac care unit (CCU) for observation, and she could sleep in a supine (flat) position, and by the next day, she was able to walk without breathlessness. A quick recovery for a patient of this status is rare since the life expectancy of lung transplant patients is shorter than that of other organ transplants. This can be credited to the high-calibre quality of the transplant expert, Dr Sandeep Attawar, and Dr Ravinder Singh Rao, who has the highest experience in TAVR procedures with safe outcomes in the country.

Dr. Ravinder Singh Rao, Interventional Structural Cardiologist and TAVR expert, remarked, “To our knowledge, this is the first case of successful TAVR in a lung transplant recipient. Lung transplant patients are often at high risk for open heart surgery due to an immunosuppressive regimen that has to be followed post-transplantation. Considering their severely reduced cardiac output, TAVR remains the only feasible option for such patients with severe aortic stenosis, especially when open heart surgery has been declined. TAVR has to be done safely in such patients as there is no room for error. TAVR benefits these patients as the symptoms are improved significantly and the patient’s quality of life is restored before aortic stenosis becomes a life-threatening condition.”

The patient was discharged two days later in good clinical condition. On discharge, the transthoracic echocardiogram showed a well-functioning aortic valve and normal functioning of the heart. The team consisted of Dr Ravinder Singh Rao (Interventional Structural Cardiologist, TAVR and Mitraclip expert), Dr Nimit Shah (Interventional Cardiologist), Dr Kalpana Shah (Cardiac Anaesthetist), and Dr Kamlesh Jain (Cardiac Surgeon).

A patient’s family also plays a very important role in such illnesses—constant support from the spouse, motivation, and active participation in disease management are required. The patient and their family become an integral part of the medical team in such complex diseases.

Apollo Cancer Centre Doctors Use Robotic Surgery to Remove 1.13 kg Adrenal Tumour, Giving Middle-Aged Man New Lease on Life
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Apollo Cancer Centre Doctors Use Robotic Surgery to Remove 1.13 kg Adrenal Tumour, Giving Middle-Aged Man New Lease on Life

Chennai, 2nd August 2024: Apollo Cancer Centre, one of the top super speciality hospitals in India, performed a robot-assisted surgery to remove an extremely large adrenal myelolipoma (a non-cancerous tumour of the adrenal gland) measuring 18 cm and weighing over a kilogram to save a 49-year-old male patient. This complex robot-assisted surgery was performed by Dr. Ragavan N, Senior Consultant in Uro-Oncology, and his team from Apollo Cancer Centre using the da Vinci Xi robotic platform by Intuitive.

Dr N Ragavan

The patient was diagnosed with a large adrenal tumour, 18 cm in size, significantly larger than the average tumour, which typically measures 5 to 7 cm. Unlike standard cases, where an adrenal tumour sits on top of the kidney, this tumour encroached behind the right kidney, compressing the IVC (Inferior Vena Cava), as well as a significant part of the liver. The pre-operative workup indicated that the tumour was likely a myelolipoma. The doctors at Apollo Cancer Centre decided to proceed with robot-assisted adrenalectomy due to the significant risks posed by the size and position of the tumour.

Commenting on the complexity of this case, Dr. Ragavan N, Senior Consultant in Uro-Oncology at Apollo Cancer Centre, said, “In open surgery, handling such a large tumour can pose significant challenges. The soft and fragile nature of adrenal tumours, especially myelolipoma, which is composed of fat cells, can increase the risk of rupturing the tumour during manipulation. Even though the pre-operative evaluation suggested a myelolipoma, we were concerned about the probability of malignancy. Any rupture of the tumour (especially if it was malignant) could have led to metastasis (spread of cancer cells). Therefore, the decision to perform robotic-assisted surgery with the da Vinci system was crucial because of the dexterity, precision, and stability offered by the robotic arms, which enhanced our ability to lift and remove the tumour safely without causing any rupture.”

Expressing his gratitude, the 49-year-old patient said, “I’m extremely thankful to Dr. Ragavan N and the medical team at Apollo Cancer Centre who assisted him during the surgery. They counselled me about the benefits and risks of undergoing robot-assisted surgery and executed the surgery to remove the tumour safely without any complications. Without their support and care, I would not have recovered so quickly and returned to my normal life sooner than I expected.”

Dr. Ragavan N further elaborated, “Considering how obese the patient was (110 kg), the complex position and large size of the tumour, open surgery would have posed immense challenges. Removing such a large tumour would have required a 25 – 30 cm incision, which would have significantly impacted wound healing and recovery time, increasing the risk of developing a hernia. Locating the adrenal vein, a very critical yet extremely small structure, would have been extremely difficult in this case owing to the enormous size of the tumour. The minimally invasive nature of robot-assisted surgery with its 3D vision and dexterity made it easier for us to navigate through the challenges and perform the surgery. The enhanced precision and control offered by robot-assisted surgery minimize the risk and improve patient outcomes.”

Vizzhy Inc Wins Nasscom AI Gamechangers Award 2023-24 in Healthcare & Pharma Startup Category
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Vizzhy Inc Wins Nasscom AI Gamechangers Award 2023-24 in Healthcare & Pharma Startup Category

Bengaluru, 2nd August 2024: Vizzhy Inc was honored with the Nasscom AI Gamechangers Award 2023-24 in the Healthcare & Pharma Startup category. The prestigious award was presented to Dr. Vishnu Vardhan, CEO of SML & Vizzhy and Founder of Hanooman AI, along with Harsha Vardhini, Co-Founder of Hanooman AI, at the Nasscom AI Confluence held in Bengaluru.

The award was handed over by Ankit Bose, Head of Nasscom AI, and Madhav Bissa, Program Director. This recognition marks a significant milestone for Vizzhy Inc, celebrating a year of remarkable achievements in the field of healthcare technology.

Expressing gratitude, Dr. Vishnu Vardhan, CEO of Vizzhy & SML, stated, “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award. It has been a landmark year for us in terms of new achievements. We are hopeful that our MultiOmics platform healthcare products will significantly benefit mankind.”

Vizzhy Inc continues to push the boundaries in healthcare innovation, leveraging AI to create impactful solutions for better healthcare outcomes.

Preethi Zodiac by Versuni India Sets Record as ‘Most Powerful Mixer Grinder’ in Asia and India
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Preethi Zodiac by Versuni India Sets Record as ‘Most Powerful Mixer Grinder’ in Asia and India

Bengaluru, 2nd Aug 2024, Thursday– Preethi Kitchen Appliances, a leading mixer grinder brand from the house of Versuni India, today achieved a milestone in Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records for its flagship and power-packed mixer grinder, the Preethi Zodiac. This recognition, acknowledging it as The Most Powerful Mixer Grinder to Grind the Toughest Items, is a testament to Preethi’s dedication to innovation, quality, and performance.

varuni

To showcase the impressive prowess of the Preethi Zodiac, the brand enlisted 120 influencers from diverse backgrounds to put the appliance to the ultimate test across four major cities: Kochi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. These influencers took on the challenge of grinding various tough materials, from bricks and wood to spices and more. This rigorous demonstration of the Zodiac’s capabilities not only highlighted its exceptional power and durability but also earned it widespread acclaim. The recognition underscores the product’s unparalleled performance and reliability, setting it apart in the competitive market. The claim was verified by the Adjudicators from the India and Asia Book of Records, Mr. Vivek R Nair, and Mr. Sagayaraj, who announced the record.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Gulbahar Taurani, Managing Director, and Chief Executive Officer at Versuni India Homes Solutions Ltd, said, ” At Preethi, our commitment to consumers drives us to set benchmarks of perfection not only for ourselves but for the entire category. We are immensely proud to have the Preethi Zodiac recognized as The Most Powerful Mixer Grinder to Grind the Toughest Items by the Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records. This accolade is a testament to our relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation.

When we created the Zodiac, our intent was to meet the consumer’s need for a power-packed, reliable, and durable product that could make mixing, grinding, and blending easy and smooth. Over the years, Preethi has become a beloved choice for over a million consumers, known as a true kitchen powerhouse. Today’s recognition not only affirms our claims but also reflects our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of quality and performance.

He further added “As a brand constantly innovating to meet evolving consumer demands and build stronger connections, we believe in continuously raising the bar for product innovation and consumer engagement. Today’s achievement exemplifies this, showcasing the performance and efficiency of an everyday household appliance in an extraordinary way. The Preethi Zodiac effortlessly grinds the toughest ingredients to a fine powder, whether it’s unusual items like brick and wood or everyday items like cinnamon or large amounts of batter.

The success of the Preethi Zodiac indicates that we are on the right path. We will continue to innovate, leading the market with cutting-edge technology and unparalleled user experience.”

This Onam, Preethi is making celebrations extra special with a range of new products and enticing offers. To elevate the consumer’s cooking experience, Preethi has introduced a new 1600W and two 2100W Induction Cooktops, featuring Triple MOV for 4KV surge protection, pre-set menus, and soft touch operations. These cooktops come with a 1-year product warranty and a 3-year coil warranty, starting at INR 2484.

Additionally, Preethi has launched two new stainless steel gas stoves: the Glory (2 Burner) and Glory Plus (3 Burner). Starting at a price of INR 2500, the Glory stoves offer +68% thermal efficiency for faster cooking, ant guard jet for a consistent blue flame, sturdy pan support to accommodate all vessel sizes without the fear of falling or tipping, and ergonomic knobs for hassle free rotation. The Glory Plus also includes a removable drip tray for easy cleaning. Both models come with a 2-year product warranty and a 5-year body and burner warranty.

Enhancing the festive spirit, Preethi is offering a free Laopala 15-piece dinner set worth INR 1550 with its premium 2 and 3 burner gas stoves including Power Duo, Valentino, Mira, Stylo Steel and Glam Steel, and a 12-piece dinner set worth INR 1250 with its mid-range gas stoves including Jumbo, Jumbo Max, Blaze, Sparkle, Luxe Pro and Gleam. Additionally, a free 3-piece Milton casserole set worth INR 1525 is available with select 750w and 1000w Zodiac mixer grinders including Zodiac Cosmo, Zodiac 2.0, Zodiac Glitter, Zodiac Stardust, and Zodiac Black.

Staying true its commitment to consumers, Preethi continues to offer customers with lifelong free service across its entire product range to ensure a seamless and holistic brand experience.

Novotel Pune Appoints Anant Leekha as New General Manager
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Novotel Pune Appoints Anant Leekha as New General Manager

Novotel Pune is pleased to announce the appointment of Anant Leekha as General Manager. Anant brings over 20 years of experience, characterized by a strong track record of achievements. His extensive industry experience will contribute a blend of sales and operations expertise, complemented by his natural ability to motivate and develop dynamic teams.

Anant Leekha, General Manager, Novotel Pune

 As General Manager, Anant will lead initiatives to drive business growth and enhance guest experiences through strategic and technological advancements. He is dedicated to delivering the Heartist experience to guests and team members alike. This appointment marks Anant’s return to Pune, where he initially served as General Manager in 2016, marking the beginning of his journey.

Anant’s 16-year tenure with Accor provides him with deep insights into the company’s goals, service standards, and brand identity. Prior to joining Novotel Pune, Anant held significant roles within Accor, most recently as Cluster General Manager overseeing ibis Mumbai Vikhroli, ibis Navi Mumbai, and ibis Thane (totaling 631 rooms), all achieving consistent year-on-year excellence in performance metrics. In his new role, Anant will oversee the overall operations and management of Novotel Pune Nagar Road, focusing on enhancing guest engagement and profitability while further establishing the hotel’s reputation.

Anant holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management & Catering Technology. Outside of work, he enjoys playing cricket, spending beachside holidays with his family, and celebrating life with those around him, which fuels his motivation to excel.

Building a Hyper Automated Marketing Ecosystem- Best Practices for B2B Companies
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Building a Hyper Automated Marketing Ecosystem- Best Practices for B2B Companies

abhijit

Abhijeet Mukherjee Head of Marketing Crayon Software Experts India

Hyper Automation has topped Gartner’s list of strategic technology trends for several years now, and for good reason. As the adoption of automation and AI skyrockets, the tools and technologies are evolving, ushering in a new era that promises to optimize business processes and improve user experiences like never before. The push towards hyper-automation has become a game-changer.

This approach, characterized by leveraging advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and data analytics, enables companies to streamline processes, enhance customer experiences, and achieve higher ROI. Hence, staying abreast with the best practices for the effective implementation of hyper automation in marketing can be a true advantage for B2B companies.

Best Practices for Building a Hyper-Automated Marketing Ecosystem

Hyper Automation, defined by Gartner as “the combination of multiple machine learning, packaged software, and automation tools to deliver work,” represents the pinnacle of technological evolution.

Hyper Automation blends various advanced technologies like AI and machine learning with automation tools to automate and enhance processes beyond what was previously possible. This isn’t just about automating individual tasks; it’s about creating a system where multiple processes across your organization can be automated and optimized. This involves several stages: discovering, analyzing, designing, automating, measuring, monitoring, and reassessing. It’s a comprehensive approach that ensures continuous improvement. Some key best practices that can help build a robust hyper-automated marketing ecosystem include:

  • Leverage AI and Machine Learning – AI and machine learning are at the heart of Hyper Automation. They enable predictive analytics, personalized marketing, and intelligent decision-making. According to a study by McKinsey, companies that use AI in their marketing strategies see a 20% increase in customer satisfaction and a 10-15% increase in sales conversion rates .
  • Integrate CRM and Marketing Automation Platforms – Seamless integration of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems with marketing automation platforms is crucial. This integration ensures that customer data is unified, providing a 360-degree view of customer interactions. HubSpot reports that businesses with aligned sales and marketing teams achieve 208% higher marketing revenue compared to those without such alignment .
  • Adopt Data-Driven Marketing – Data is the fuel that powers Hyper Automation. By leveraging big data and advanced analytics, B2B companies can gain deep insights into customer behavior, preferences, and trends. A recent report by Salesforce indicates that high-performing marketing teams are 2.5 times more likely to base decisions on data-driven insights .
  • Implement Chatbots and Virtual Assistants – Chatbots and virtual assistants can handle routine queries, schedule appointments, and guide potential customers through the sales funnel. Gartner predicts that by 2025, 80% of B2B sales interactions will occur on digital channels, making the use of chatbots an essential component of hyper-automated ecosystems .
  • Utilize Marketing Analytics and Dashboards – Effective use of marketing analytics and dashboards allows for real-time tracking of campaign performance, enabling swift adjustments and improvements. A survey by Ascend2 and Anteriad reveals that 69% of B2B marketers say that improving data quality is a top priority for their organization .

Benefits of Hyper Automation

Hyper-automation extends beyond mere automation by integrating various technologies to create a seamless, end-to-end marketing system. It encompasses everything from lead generation and nurturing to customer relationship management and analytics, ensuring that every aspect of the marketing process is optimized. Here are some key benefits of Hyper Automation in B2B marketing:

  • Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity Hyper Automation streamlines repetitive and manual tasks, allowing marketing teams to focus on strategic initiatives. This leads to faster and more efficient operations, improving overall productivity.
  • Improved Customer Experience By automating customer interactions and leveraging AI-driven insights, businesses can offer personalized and timely responses, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
    Cost Reduction Automation of routine processes reduces labor costs and minimizes errors. For example, robotic process automation (RPA) can handle data entry and other time-consuming tasks, cutting operational expenses significantly.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making Hyper Automation enables real-time data analysis and reporting, providing marketers with valuable insights to make informed decisions. This helps in optimizing marketing strategies and improving campaign performance.
    Scalability As businesses grow, hyper automation allows them to scale their marketing efforts without a proportional increase in resources. Automated systems can handle increased workloads seamlessly, ensuring consistent performance.
  • Enhanced Collaboration Integrated automation platforms facilitate better collaboration between marketing and sales teams by providing a unified view of customer data and interactions. This alignment leads to more effective lead management and higher conversion rates.
    Higher Accuracy and Consistency Automated processes ensure high accuracy and consistency in marketing activities, reducing the risk of errors and enhancing the overall quality of campaigns.