A team led by Dr. Anup Taksande, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, successfully performed a pioneering high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to treat critical heart blockages in a 69-year-old patient, offering her a new lease on life.
A Life-Threatening Condition
Tracilla Alphonso, a resident of Vasai, presented with chest pain and discomfort that radiated to her neck in mid-September. Initial tests revealed ischemic changes, and urgent angiography identified severe calcific narrowing of the Left Main Coronary Artery and near-total occlusion of the Right Coronary Artery (RCA). Given the critical findings, she was advised to undergo Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery. However, due to her advanced age, frailty, and reluctance toward open-heart surgery, an alternative approach was explored.
Advanced, High-Risk Procedure
Dr. Taksande and his team opted for a high-risk PCI, an intricate and minimally invasive intervention involving imaging guidance, rotablation, and high-pressure balloons to address the calcified arteries.
“This was an extremely complex case,” said Dr. Taksande. “The left main artery was over 90% blocked, and the right coronary artery was nearly 99% occluded. A small error could have been catastrophic. Utilizing advanced technology, including imaging catheters and precise stent placement, we achieved results comparable to bypass surgery while maintaining the patient’s stability throughout.”
The procedure was conducted in two stages:
- Right Coronary Artery (RCA): Pre-dilatation with balloons was performed to create adequate lumen space, followed by the placement of two stents at high pressure to restore satisfactory blood flow.
- Left Main Coronary Artery and LAD: Using rotablation (diamond drill), the team polished the calcific deposits before deploying overlapping stents optimized at high pressures to different diameters. Imaging technology ensured precision in stent sizing and placement.
The entire procedure took approximately 90–110 minutes, with the patient tolerating it well.
Positive Outcome
Ms. Alphonso recovered without complications and was discharged just two days post-procedure. Follow-up care over two months showed excellent recovery, with normal heart function and restored independence.
“This case highlights the importance of having comprehensive, tertiary-level cardiac care facilities to manage complex, high-risk conditions. It reflects advancements in interventional cardiology and the dedication of our team to provide exceptional care,” said Dr. Taksande.
Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road, remains at the forefront of cutting-edge cardiac care, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a dedicated team of specialists committed to delivering innovative, life-saving treatments.