Mumbai:
Nonagenarian Panglu Mhatre who underwent surgery at Thane hospital is looking forward to his annual yatra to Pandharpur, which he has never missed.
At 91, Panglu Mhatre is as fit as a fiddle, say doctors who performed an angioplasty on this nonagenarian just two months back feel so.
Doctors at Jupiter Hospital were surprised to see that Mhatre, unlike people of his age, did not hesitate even once before undergoing the surgery.
On November 16, Mhatre felt a sudden chest pain and was rushed to a hospital in Badlapur where he was diagnosed to have suffered a heart attack and was administered drugs for clot busting.
However, the following day, Mhatre continued to complain of chest pain and was taken to Thane-based Jupiter Hospital where he was advised an angiography followed by an angioplasty.
"The patient had a major blockage and thus we advised an angioplasty. He was physically fit to undergo the procedure even at this age," said Dr Vijay Surase, consultant interventional cardiologist.
"He did not have a history of any disorder and was leading an active life. If he had not undergone the procedure there were chances of him turning bed-ridden."
For people who are above 80, the vessels in the body turn hard because of deposition of calcium on their walls, a condition medically known as sclerosis. "Because of the hardened vessels, performing an angioplasty becomes technically more challenging," said Surase.
Mhatre, however, had a different reason to undergo the surgery. He is a devoted varkari and was afraid that he would lose his mobility because of the illness and decided to go ahead with the surgery.
"I have never missed any pilgrimage to Pandharpur and my heart lies there. I was sure that lord Vitthal would not let me down.
Now, I feel as young as my great-grand children and I am waiting for the next yatra." said an ecstatic Mhatre, who is a father of nine.
Mhatre's doctor also believes that it is Mhatre's faith in the almighty that helped him survive the surgery. Saurase said, "Even my father was a devoted varkari and as soon as I discussed about the pilgrimage and the kirtans, Mhatre was excited and said a yes for the surgery without a second thought."
Mhatre's son, Pandurang Mhatre (40), said, "He is the chief of our family and before taking any decision we take his consent even today. We were worried when he suffered an attack but we did not want to compromise on his health."
"When we operate on the elderly there is always a risk attached to the kidney as the dye used during an angioplasty can have adverse effects on the kidney," said Dr Hasmukh Ravat, interventional cardiologist, Fortis Hospital.
"Five years back, patients above 80 would only opt for medical management but now patients above 80 also are not afraid to undergo such procedures."