The Cardiology Department at the Advanced Cardiac Institute (ACI) of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital, affiliated with Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College, has successfully introduced Coronary Orbital Atherectomy, a cutting-edge treatment for clearing calcified blockages in heart arteries. This advanced technique was used to treat two heart patients, significantly improving blood flow, according to Dr. Smit Srivastava.
Orbital Atherectomy is a pre-angioplasty procedure designed to break down calcium deposits (plaques) within the arteries. It utilizes a 1.25 mm diamond-coated drill that pulverizes the calcium into ultra-fine particles, about two microns in size. By clearing the calcified blockages, the procedure enhances blood flow and facilitates angioplasty, especially in patients with heavily calcified arteries.
The process involves inserting a rotating diamond-coated burr into the artery via a thin catheter. The burr grinds the hardened surface of the artery, smoothing its walls and enabling better blood flow, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks.
Dr. Santosh Sonkar, Superintendent of Ambedkar Hospital, commended the cardiology team for their successful treatment and highlighted the importance of this facility in a government hospital. He emphasized that this breakthrough offers new hope for heart patients and marks a significant milestone in cardiac care.
As reported by economictimes, the treatment team included Cardiologist Dr. Smit Srivastava, Assistant Professors Dr. Kunal Ostwal and Dr. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Junior Doctor Dr. Prateek Gupta, and Anesthesia specialists Dr. Jaya Lalwani, Dr. Amrita Jain, and Dr. Naveen Tiwari.
Dr. Srivastava shared details of two key cases. The first involved a 77-year-old patient from Raipur with high blood pressure, diabetes, and a severely reduced heart pumping capacity. Angiography revealed heavy calcium deposits in the left main artery and three other arteries, making conventional angioplasty unviable. With Orbital Atherectomy, the calcium was cleared, and angioplasty was successfully performed.
In the second case, a 68-year-old patient from Bhilai, previously advised to undergo bypass surgery, sought treatment at ACI. The patient had severe calcification in the left main artery. Orbital Atherectomy successfully removed the deposits, followed by angioplasty. The patient recovered within a day and returned home.
Dr. Kunal Ostwal, Assistant Professor of Cardiology, explained that the procedure employs a 360-degree rotating diamond-coated burr, which scrapes and grinds the calcium into microscopic particles that are naturally expelled through the capillaries. This technique is especially effective in cases where standard angioplasty or stenting is not possible, ensuring a smoother artery surface, easier stent placement, and reduced risk of complications.