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As the heart develops in the fetus, structural aberrations may result in birth defects of the heart, from a simple hole to a very complex malformation. Similarly, the delicate heart valves may get damaged in later life. Rheumatic heart disease is one such disease affecting largely the poor. Coronary artery disease on the other hand afflicts those with increasing affluence and stress of modern life accompanied by indulgence in food, smoking and alcohol.
Heart surgery started in early twentieth century and progressed by leaps and bounds once the heart-lung machine became available facilitating open heart operations on a large scale.
The practice of medicine is for basic good of mankind, no matter where and how it is rendered. The men and women working in the field of cardiac medicine and surgery have brought the latest skills to the suffering patients everywhere. In the process, we unconsciously wear a mask of technical competence and efficiency and get far removed from the social and emotional milieu of the patients. This book is an attempt to remove this mask and look beyond bringing a unique Indian perspective.
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Ms. Ratna Magotra was born in Jammu in India on 16 December, 1946. Her brilliance in the academic field, as evidenced by the numerous scholarships and awards that she’d won, was translated into an excellent career record. An eminent cardiac surgeon, she has been distinguished by awards such as the Dr. Jal R. Vakil Memorial Award (1994), Special Award of Appreciation for Contributions to Rural Surgery (Udhampur, J&K) by Association of Rural Surgeons of India (1999), Special prize from Nehru Foundation New Delhi for Academic Achievements (1979) and the Americares India's Spirit of Humanity award in Cardiovascular Surgery Category (2011). Having completed her higher education at the Lady Hardinge Medical College and the Mumbai University and further training at the Guy’s Hospital in U K and Texas Heart in Houston, USA; she has served as Professor/Head, Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at the G.S Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital Mumbai, from where she took early retirement. Dr. Ratna Magotra is also a trustee and Honorary Director of Cardiac Services, Gram Seva Trust Kharel (Navsari District, Gujarat) which works with marginalised communities. And she is a trustee for Public Concern for Governance Trust, Mumbai. A patriotic crusader, Dr.Ratna Magotra has participated actively in the India against Corruption movement led by Anna Hazare in 2011. An avid reader, she also loves Indian classical music and travelling. And has travelled extensively in India and abroad. She is currently practicing as Honorary Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon at the Smt. S.R.Mehta & Sir K.P Cardiac Institute, Mumbai. In this book, which shares the personal courage and faith that people display in overcoming difficult moments of life, she hopes that her readers will find a resonance of their personal tribulations and triumphs even beyond illness and surgery.
