PUNE: A 70-year-old diabetic patient who had suffered a heart attack underwent Pune’s first laser-assisted, stent-less angioplasty at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Deccan Gymkhana. The revolutionary procedure, performed under the expertise of Dr. Abhijeet Palshikar, Director – Cardiology Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Deccan Gymkhana marks a significant milestone in interventional cardiology.

The patient, who had a history of diabetes, experienced a mild heart attack three days before the procedure and was initially treated medically. However, doctors identified two key challenges, a heavy calcium buildup in his artery, which made traditional stenting difficult, and his reluctance to have a stent placed. To address these concerns, the medical team chose a laser-assisted angioplasty combined with a drug-coated balloon, which successfully opened the artery without needing a permanent metal stent.

The angioplasty procedure utilized an Excimer laser, a state-of-the-art technology that effectively clears calcium and cholesterol deposits within arteries. This was followed by the use of a drug-coated balloon, an innovative alternative to traditional stents. Instead of placing a permanent implant, the drug-coated balloon delivers medication to the artery and is then removed, leaving no metal behind.

Dr. Abhijeet Palshikar, Director – Cardiology at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Deccan Gymkhana explained the details and benefits of the procedure “The key benefits of the procedure include the absence of a permanent metal implant. Stents remain in the body permanently and may have risks of restenosis (artery re-narrowing). The laser-assisted approach eliminates this concern. Additionally, the patient experienced a faster recovery, being discharged within a day, walking independently, and resuming daily activities quickly. By the next day, he was mobile, walking independently to the restroom, and was discharged in the afternoon.”

“The success of this first-of-its-kind procedure in Pune paves the way for a new era in interventional cardiology, offering a safer and more effective alternative to traditional stenting methods which are minimally invasive alternatives.” Dr Sunil Rao, Chief Operating Officer and Medical Director at Sahyadri Group of Hospitals said.

The Excimer laser employed in the procedure is known for its precision in ablating calcified plaques, reducing risks while ensuring effective plaque removal. Additionally, drug-coated balloons provide targeted therapy, preventing restenosis without the need for permanent implants. With its many benefits, laser-assisted, stent-less angioplasty is expected to become a common procedure in the future, possibly replacing traditional angioplasty in many cases. It is not only useful for coronary artery disease but also for treating blockages in smaller blood vessels, where stents are less effective. The procedure is highly safe, with strict laser controls to reduce risks. It is also an excellent option for patients who have a blocked stent, as laser therapy can clear the obstruction without placing another stent.

“This breakthrough procedure offers a paradigm shift in angioplasty treatments. Patients who are hesitant about permanent stents or have complex calcified blockages now have an alternative that ensures better outcomes with reduced risks. The success of Pune’s first laser-assisted, stent-less angioplasty marks the beginning of a new chapter in cardiac care, and we anticipate its widespread adoption in the future.” Dr. Palshikar added.       

Sahyadri Hospital is renowned for its exceptional cardiac care and commitment to integrating the latest medical advancements to deliver superior patient outcomes.

The post The First Laser-Assisted, Stent-Less Angioplasty at Sahyadri Hospitals appeared first on NRI News.

MUMBAI: Intuitive, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery, has installed its hundredth robotic-assisted surgical system in India at the U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology, the country’s largest cardiac center. The installation was marked at an event attended by the Hon. Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi.

“We strive at Intuitive to help Indian surgeons and their care teams improve patient outcomes, improve the patient and care team experience, and lower the total cost to treat,” said Mandeep Singh Kumar, Vice President and General Manager of Intuitive India.

“We are excited by the commitment hospitals have made to minimally invasive care, including robotic-assisted surgery. Intuitive is honored to help hospitals across India establish and grow their robotics programs through the Intuitive ecosystem, which includes technical training and unparalleled customer support and service. And, Intuitive is energized by urban as well as more rural locations adopting advanced surgical technology,” said Mr. Kumar.

While commenting on the installation of Intuitive’s da Vinci Xi system, Dr. Chirag Doshi, Head, of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology, said, “We are always at the forefront in finding newer ways to offer advanced and affordable healthcare that help improve patient outcomes. With the installation of Intuitive’s da Vinci Xi surgical system, we hope to potentially enhance academic research and residency training programs in the field of cardiothoracic surgery and continue our efforts towards improving patient care and experience.”

Prior to this most recent milestone, Intuitive has thoughtfully advanced minimally invasive care in India through advanced robotic technology, supported by an innovative and expanding ecosystem of learning, services, and solutions. Most robotic programs are installed in leading private and government hospitals, Medical Education Institutes, and State Government Medical Colleges across the country. More than 800 surgeons have been trained on Intuitive’s da Vinci technology and are helping drive the significant increase in its adoption.

The post Robotic-Assisted Surgery Finds Growing Acceptance In India appeared first on NRI News.