Dr.Gailin Bronson Sebastian
MD . Professor & HOD
Overview
The Department of Cardiology at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS) is a leading cardiac care centre serving patients across Kanyakumari district, Nagercoil, and South Tamil Nadu. The department was established in 2011 under the leadership of Dr. Ajay Kumar and initially functioned as a non-interventional cardiology unit offering outpatient consultations along with ECG, Echocardiography, and Treadmill Testing. A major milestone was achieved in 2013 with the establishment of a state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) and the development of a full-fledged Interventional Cardiology program supported by Cardiac Surgery and Cardiac Anaesthesia teams. Today, the department provides comprehensive cardiac diagnosis, advanced interventional procedures, and surgical cardiac care, supported by experienced Interventional Cardiologists, Cardiac Surgeons, and Cardiac Anaesthetists. Through empanelment under the TNCMCHIS scheme, SMIMS ensures advanced cardiac care that is both affordable and accessible to patients across the region.
Overview
The Department of Cardiology at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS) is a leading cardiac care centre serving patients across Kanyakumari district, Nagercoil, and South Tamil Nadu. The department was established in 2011 under the leadership of Dr. Ajay Kumar and initially functioned as a non-interventional cardiology unit offering outpatient consultations along with ECG, Echocardiography, and Treadmill Testing. A major milestone was achieved in 2013 with the establishment of a state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) and the development of a full-fledged Interventional Cardiology program supported by Cardiac Surgery and Cardiac Anaesthesia teams. Today, the department provides comprehensive cardiac diagnosis, advanced interventional procedures, and surgical cardiac care, supported by experienced Interventional Cardiologists, Cardiac Surgeons, and Cardiac Anaesthetists. Through empanelment under the TNCMCHIS scheme, SMIMS ensures advanced cardiac care that is both affordable and accessible to patients across the region.
Dr.Gailin Bronson Sebastian
MD . Professor & HOD
Overview
The Department of Cardiology at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS) is a leading cardiac care centre serving patients across Kanyakumari district, Nagercoil, and South Tamil Nadu. The department was established in 2011 under the leadership of Dr. Ajay Kumar and initially functioned as a non-interventional cardiology unit offering outpatient consultations along with ECG, Echocardiography, and Treadmill Testing. A major milestone was achieved in 2013 with the establishment of a state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) and the development of a full-fledged Interventional Cardiology program supported by Cardiac Surgery and Cardiac Anaesthesia teams. Today, the department provides comprehensive cardiac diagnosis, advanced interventional procedures, and surgical cardiac care, supported by experienced Interventional Cardiologists, Cardiac Surgeons, and Cardiac Anaesthetists. Through empanelment under the TNCMCHIS scheme, SMIMS ensures advanced cardiac care that is both affordable and accessible to patients across the region.
Dr.Gailin Bronson Sebastian
MD . Professor & HOD
Professor & HOD
Mission
To be the most trusted cardiology hospital in Kanyakumari by delivering world-class cardiac care, advanced interventions, and compassionate service—ensuring better heart health and improved quality of life for every patient we serve.
Contact Information
Email id:
cardiology@sreemookambikainstitute.com
Infrastructure
1. Department of Cardiology
Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences
As a leading cardiology centre in Kanyakumari, the Department of Cardiology provides comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care for the full spectrum of heart-related conditions. Our experienced cardiologists and cardiac surgeons combine clinical expertise with the latest medical advancements to deliver precise, evidence-based, and compassionate care. Whether patients seek cardiac care in Kanyakumari or Nagercoil, the department is dedicated to protecting and improving heart health while maintaining the highest standards of safety and excellence.
2. Our Journey
The Department of Cardiology was established in 2011 under the leadership of a senior Interventional Cardiologist. Initially functioning as a non-interventional unit, the department provided OPD consultations along with ECG, Echocardiography (ECHO), and Treadmill Testing (TMT). With growing patient trust and increasing referrals from across the Kanyakumari district, the department steadily expanded its clinical capabilities.
A major milestone was achieved in 2013 with the establishment of a state-of-the-art Cath Lab and Cardiac Surgery Department. The clinical team was strengthened with Interventional Cardiologists, Cardiac Surgeons, and Senior Cardiac Anesthetists. Inclusion under the TNCMCHIS scheme further improved access to advanced interventional and surgical cardiac care for economically disadvantaged patients. Today, the department serves patients from across South Tamil Nadu with comprehensive and advanced cardiac services.
3. Clinical Services & Expertise
The department offers advanced care across all major cardiac subspecialties, including:
Congenital Heart Diseases
ECHO evaluation, catheterization studies, device closure procedures, and surgical correction of congenital heart defects.
Valvular Heart Diseases
Interventional balloon procedures and comprehensive surgical management, including valve repair and valve replacement.
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Tachyarrhythmias: Electrophysiology studies and Radiofrequency Ablation
Bradyarrhythmia: Permanent Pacemaker implantation
Advanced Electrophysiology: Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD) and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary angiography and angioplasty, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), and minimally invasive cardiac surgeries.
4. Advanced Technology
The department is equipped with cutting-edge cardiac technology to manage complex and high-risk cases, including:
Rotablator (Rotational Atherectomy System)
A specialized device using a diamond-coated, high-speed rotating burr to safely modify heavily calcified coronary plaques, enabling effective balloon dilatation and stent placement in complex coronary blockages.
IVUS (Intravascular Ultrasound)
Provides high-resolution, cross-sectional imaging from within the coronary arteries. IVUS is frequently used alongside Rotablator procedures for accurate vessel sizing, precise guidance, and confirmation of optimal plaque modification and stent deployment, thereby enhancing procedural safety and clinical outcomes.
Advanced Cardiac Services
The department offers specialized management across all major cardiac subspecialties.
Coronary Artery Disease
- Coronary angiography
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) / coronary angioplasty
- Complex coronary stenting procedures
Advanced Coronary Interventions
- Rotablator (Rotational Atherectomy System) for heavily calcified coronary lesions
- IVUS (Intravascular Ultrasound) guided coronary interventions for precise vessel assessment and optimal stent placement
- Complex coronary lesion management including calcified and bifurcation lesions
Cardiac Electrophysiology
The department provides advanced diagnosis and treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders.
Electrophysiology (EP) studies
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for tachyarrhythmias
Permanent Pacemaker (PPM) implantation for bradyarrhythmias
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) therapy
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) for advanced heart failure
Structural and Congenital Heart Interventions
- Device closure of congenital heart defects
- Balloon valvuloplasty for valvular heart disease
- Interventional catheter-based cardiac procedures
- Surgical correction of congenital heart diseases in collaboration with cardiac surgery teams
Peripheral Vascular and Endovascular Interventions
The Cath Lab is equipped to perform advanced peripheral vascular procedures including:
- Peripheral angiography and angioplasty
- Endovascular treatment for peripheral arterial disease
- Embolization procedures for vascular abnormalities and bleeding control
- Placement of IVC filters for prevention of pulmonary embolism
Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging
The department provides comprehensive advanced cardiovascular imaging and diagnostic services to accurately evaluate cardiac structure, function, and vascular conditions.
Services include:
- Echocardiography and Stress Echocardiography for assessment of cardiac function, valvular heart disease, and ischemia
- CT Coronary Angiography for non-invasive evaluation of coronary artery disease
- Cardiac MRI, including stress MRI and myocardial viability studies, for detailed cardiac tissue characterization and functional assessment
- Advanced vascular imaging including CT angiography of the aorta, renal arteries, carotid arteries, pulmonary arteries, and peripheral vessels
- Nuclear Medicine Cardiac Perfusion Imaging for evaluation of myocardial blood flow, ischemia detection, and assessment of myocardial viability
These advanced imaging modalities support early diagnosis, risk stratification, and precise treatment planning for complex cardiovascular conditions.
Cath Lab and Interventional Facilities
The state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory supports complex cardiac and vascular procedures including:
- Diagnostic coronary angiography
- Coronary angioplasty and stenting
- Rotational atherectomy procedures
- Peripheral angiography and angioplasty
- Electrophysiology procedures
- Device implantation procedures
Specialty Clinics
The department runs focused clinics for specialized cardiac care.
- Pacing Clinic – Monday
- Arrhythmia Clinic – Tuesday
- Heart Failure Clinic – Wednesday
- Combined Cardiology–CTVS Clinic – Thursday
- Pediatric Cardiology Clinic – Friday
Cardiac Critical Care
The Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (ICCU) at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences provides specialized monitoring and advanced treatment for critically ill cardiac patients, including those with acute coronary syndromes, severe heart failure, life-threatening arrhythmias, and post-interventional cardiac conditions.
The unit is equipped with advanced life-support and monitoring facilities, including:
- Advanced multiparameter cardiac monitoring systems for continuous hemodynamic monitoring
- Defibrillators and fully equipped crash carts for emergency cardiac resuscitation
- Bedside echocardiography and ultrasound facilities for rapid cardiac assessment
- Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis for critical respiratory and metabolic monitoring
- Temporary pacemaker support for management of bradyarrhythmias and conduction disturbances
- Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) support for patients with cardiogenic shock and severe cardiac failure
- Ventilatory and critical care support systems for patients requiring respiratory and cardiac life support
The ICCU team works closely with Interventional Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, and Critical Care specialists to provide rapid response, evidence-based management, and continuous monitoring for high-risk cardiac patients.
Academic Activities
The Department actively participates in medical education and research.
- MD General Medicine postgraduate training and
- Clinical teaching for MBBS students
- Regular case discussions, seminars, and journal clubs
- Participation in national cardiology conferences and continuing medical education programs
Key Milestones and Community Impact
Referral Centre for RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram)
Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences serves as an approved Referral Centre under the Government of India’s Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) program for the management of congenital heart diseases in children.
Through this initiative, children identified through government screening programs across the region are referred to SMIMS for advanced cardiac evaluation, interventional procedures, and corrective surgeries.
The program has significantly improved access to life-saving cardiac treatment for economically disadvantaged children, ensuring early diagnosis and timely intervention.
Impact:
- More than 700 children have received free cardiac procedures and surgeries through the RBSK referral program.
- Early treatment of congenital heart diseases has helped many children return to healthy and normal lives.
- The initiative reflects SMIMS’ commitment to equitable and compassionate healthcare for the community.
Cardiac Care Milestone
The Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery has successfully completed more than 16,161 cardiac procedures, marking a significant milestone in advanced cardiac care delivery.
This achievement reflects the combined expertise of interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiac anaesthetists, nurses, and technical teams who work together to deliver safe and effective cardiac treatment.
The procedures include:
- Coronary angiography and angioplasty
- Complex coronary interventions
- Pacemaker implantation and electrophysiology procedures
- Congenital heart defect corrections
- Peripheral vascular interventions
- Advanced catheter-based cardiac procedures
“16,161 heartbeats healed — guided by skill and blessed by grace.”
This milestone stands as a testament to the trust placed by thousands of patients and families across South Tamil Nadu in the cardiac care services of SMIMS.
