Agartala | Nov 20, 2025 |SKY LINK TIMES
In a historic advancement for Tripura’s healthcare system, Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GBP Hospital have successfully performed the state’s first Percutaneous Transluminal Septal Myocardial Ablation (PTSMA)—a highly specialised cardiac procedure used to treat Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM). The groundbreaking surgery was conducted on November 15, marking a major leap forward in the state’s interventional cardiology capabilities, according to an official government statement issued by government of Tripura and ministry of health.
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A Lifesaving Breakthrough for HOCM Patients at AGMC
The milestone procedure was performed on a 46-year-old patient suffering from severe HOCM and repeated chest pain for several years. HOCM, a genetic cardiac disorder, causes harmful thickening of the heart muscle, obstructing blood flow and increasing the risk of heart failure or sudden cardiac death.
Until now, patients in Tripura had to travel outside the state—often to Kolkata, Chennai, or Hyderabad—for PTSMA. This led to significant financial strain and treatment delays. The successful procedure at AGMC eliminates this dependency and provides renewed hope for patients across the region.
What Is PTSMA and Why It Matters
PTSMA is regarded globally as a complex, high-precision cardiac intervention. The procedure involves injecting a controlled amount of medical-grade alcohol into a specific branch of the coronary artery. This creates a controlled thinning of the thickened heart muscle, improving blood flow from the left ventricle.
The technique requires:
Advanced imaging systems
Highly trained interventional cardiologists
Coordinated cath-lab support
Doctors at AGMC confirmed that the patient responded exceptionally well and is currently recovering steadily.
A Milestone for Tripura’s Medical Infrastructure
By successfully conducting its first PTSMA, AGMC & GBP Hospital have joined a select group of institutions in eastern India capable of offering this advanced procedure. Hospital authorities described the achievement as a “turning point” in Tripura’s journey toward modern and accessible healthcare.
Cardiologists emphasised the urgent need for increased awareness about HOCM, noting that many patients remain undiagnosed due to limited access to specialised cardiac tests. Early detection, combined with timely intervention, significantly improves survival and long-term outcomes.
Medical Team Behind the Achievement for Tripura’s first PTSMA
The historic procedure was led by an expert cardiology team:
Dr Anindya Sundar Tribedi – Assistant Professor, Consultant Cardiologist & In-Charge HoD
Dr Rakesh Das – Consultant Cardiologist
Dr Manna Bhattacharjee – Junior Doctor
Dr Arghya Pratim Nath
Dr Anwesha Debnath
Dr Supratim Acharya
Dr Bulti Namah Das
Dr Angela Debbarma
Supporting staff included:
Cath-lab nurses Debabrata Debnath, Pranakrishna Deb, Manash Dutta, and Titiksha Majumder; Echo Technician Kishan Roy; and Cath-Tech Sanjay Ghosh.
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Free Treatment Under Ayushman Bharat at AGMC &GBP Hospital
In a significant relief for the patient, the entire procedure was provided free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, as confirmed by the Health & Family Welfare Department. Without this support, the intervention would have cost lakhs of rupees at private hospitals.
A New Era for Cardiology in Tripura
The successful PTSMA marks the beginning of a new chapter for healthcare in Tripura. It sets a benchmark for future cardiac interventions and highlights the state’s growing medical expertise and infrastructure. With AGMC emerging as a centre for advanced cardiology, more patients are expected to receive lifesaving treatments within the state—saving time, money, and lives.
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