Doctors at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, successfully saved the life of a 68-year-old woman diagnosed with critical Triple Vessel Coronary Artery Disease (TVD), a life-threatening condition involving severe blockages in all three major coronary arteries. Led by Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Senior Director, Cardiology, the cardiac team performed a complex multi-vessel angioplasty, restoring blood flow to all three arteries and preventing heart failure and potential cardiac death.
Procedure Completed in Just 17 Minutes
The case stood out for the speed and precision of the intervention. While complex triple-vessel angioplasty procedures typically take nearly two hours, the Fortis team completed the procedure in just 17 minutes, with a cath lab fluoroscopy time of 9.6 minutes. As a result, doctors restored blood flow during a critical period when the patient’s condition was rapidly worsening.
Patient’s Condition Turned Critical
The patient arrived with recurrent chest pain and severe breathlessness, placing her at immediate risk of a heart attack, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. Doctors diagnosed her with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) against a background of longstanding hypertension and advanced Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Angiography confirmed critical Triple Vessel Disease, with severe blockages in all three major coronary arteries. Her condition was further complicated by extreme obesity, as she weighed more than 100 kg, significantly increasing both cardiovascular strain and procedural risk.
Emergency Intervention Saved Her Life
Initially, the patient and her family requested more time before deciding on treatment. However, while she remained under observation in the cath lab recovery area, she suddenly developed acute heart failure, leaving no time to delay intervention.
The interventional cardiology team immediately performed angioplasty with stent implantation in two critically blocked arteries and treated the third artery using a drug-coated balloon angioplasty. The procedure successfully restored blood flow across all three arteries. The patient recovered well, remained stable after the procedure, and was discharged within 24 hours.
As per the press release, the rapid intervention and coordinated response by the cardiac team played a crucial role in achieving the successful outcome.
Expert’s Perspective
Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Senior Director, Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, said, “This was an extremely critical and time-sensitive case. The patient deteriorated into heart failure while the treatment decision was being made, making every minute crucial. Since she could not tolerate lying down for long because of severe breathlessness, we had to complete the procedure as quickly as possible without compromising precision or safety. Successfully treating all three arteries within 17 minutes, with a cath lab fluoroscopy time of 9.6 minutes, proved lifesaving. Without timely intervention, the patient could have suffered a massive heart attack, worsening heart failure requiring ventilator support, or even death. This case highlights the importance of rapid diagnosis, timely decision-making, and advanced interventional cardiac care in managing complex coronary emergencies.”
Advanced Cardiac Care
Dr. Abhishek Sharma, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, said, “This complex case highlights the advanced cardiac care infrastructure we have built at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad. Treating such a high-risk patient in just 17 minutes, with a cath lab fluoroscopy time of 9.6 minutes, reflects our team’s expertise, preparedness, and commitment to delivering timely, life-saving care.”