Nagpur: On Sunday, the newest therapy to clear blockages in the heart’s blood vessels was introduced for the first time in central india at the ‘Live Nagpur’ conclave.
Dr. Praveen Chandra of Medanta Hospital talked about laser therapy in which a catheter that emits high-energy light (laser) is used to unblock the arteries. Vaporizes clogs and cleans vessels without damaging vessel walls. “In many cases, the laser clears the blood path so effectively that patients don’t even need a stent afterwards,” said Dr. Chandra.
“Laser therapy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to reopen blood vessels to allow a smooth flow of oxygen-rich blood. The catheter is maneuvered through the vessel until the blockage is reached. Laser energy is used to vaporize the blockage,” said Dr. Chandra while sharing some of the 55 successful cases performed at his hospital using laser technology.
“If we use lasers to remove blockages, it will make it easier for doctors to place balloons and stents if they are needed. This also ensures perfect stent positioning,” said Dr. Chandra.
Sometimes the diameter of the vessel lumen is reduced after angioplasty (restenosis). Sometimes a stent thrombosis occurs which could be fatal. The use of lasers can reduce these threats. Doctors can use shorter stents, they can use balloons at lower pressures.
It is beneficial to patients in many ways, causing less discomfort, getting over it much faster, reducing hospitalizations and recovery time. Most patients return to an active life in a short period of time.
Dr. Jaspal Arneja, the mastermind behind ‘Nagpur Live’, an academic event, said more than 200 doctors from all over Vidarbha got first-hand information about the laser technology. “Our goal is to bring the latest advancements to Nagpur and laser therapy is one of them. It has the potential to make angioplasty easy, effective, and long-lasting,” he said.
Another expert, Dr. VT Shah from Mumbai, spoke about recent advances in angiography techniques. “We use imaging in angiography these days, which gives a 360-degree picture of the vessels. Such images have made it easier for physicians to treat obstructions and place stents in the exact location,” he said.
Dr. Shah added that cardiology as a whole is a rapidly developing field with advances occurring every three to four months in both diagnostics and pharmaceuticals.
