Mangaluru: Indiana Hospital and Heart Institute has achieved a major milestone by introducing laser angioplasty, making it the first healthcare centre in the coastal districts of Karnataka to offer this cutting-edge cardiac procedure.

A breakthrough in cardiovascular care

Laser angioplasty marks a significant leap forward in treating arterial blockages. While bypass surgery was once the only solution for most heart blocks, modern interventional cardiology has reduced that need to approximately 10%. With the addition of laser angioplasty, many complex cases can now be treated through minimally invasive day-care procedures.

The technique uses a specialised catheter that emits high-energy ultraviolet laser beams to vaporise plaque and blood clots, allowing precise treatment with minimal damage to surrounding tissues.

Benefits over conventional angioplasty

Dr. Yusuf Kumble, Managing Director and Chief Interventional Cardiologist, said the procedure is particularly effective for complex and calcified lesions. It offers several advantages, including:

  • Higher success rates in difficult interventions
  • Better outcomes in in-stent restenosis
  • Reduced need for additional stents
  • Essential support in treating thrombotic lesions during acute myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndromes
  • Improved modification of calcified proximal caps that are difficult to cross with a wire

The technology is also beneficial in clearing blockages in peripheral arteries, carotid vessels, and removing previously implanted pacemaker leads.

A promising future for cardiac treatment

Dr. Yusuf noted that laser angioplasty has strong potential to become a frontline cardiac treatment in India due to faster recovery, reduced complications, and high effectiveness in hard-to-treat lesions.

Pioneering legacy in cardiac interventions

Indiana Hospital has a strong record of firsts in advanced cardiovascular procedures in the region. These include:

  • First OCT implantation
  • First paediatric aortic stenosis procedure on a one-year-old
  • First valve-in-valve procedure
  • Aortic valvotomy on a 12-hour-old newborn, a landmark achievement
  • Coastal Karnataka’s first Trans-catheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVI/TAVR) in 2019
  • One of Karnataka’s rare percutaneous Mitral Valve Replacement (Valve-in-Valve) procedures in 2020

With the addition of laser angioplasty, the hospital continues to strengthen its position as a leader in specialised cardiac care in Karnataka.