Kolkata: In a major step forward
in advanced vascular care, Dr. Ranjan Kr. Sharma, Senior Consultant,
Cardiology at Manipal Hospital, Saltlake, successfully performed the
hospital group’s first advanced atherectomy-assisted procedure for
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in Kolkata. The minimally invasive
treatment was carried out on a 75-plus-year-old patient suffering from both
heart and leg artery blockages, enabling him to recover quickly and return to
his normal routine within just 24 hours.
The patient had undergone angioplasty 11 years
ago, during which two stents were placed in critical heart arteries - the
Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery and the Right Coronary Artery (RCA).
Recently, he began experiencing shortness of breath and severe pain in his left
leg while walking, a classic symptom of PAD known as claudication, refers to Peripheral Artery Disease, a
condition where arteries that supply blood to the legs become narrowed or
blocked, usually due to atherosclerosis (fatty plaque buildup).
A fresh angiography revealed that while the
earlier stents were functioning well, a new blockage had developed in the right
coronary artery beyond the previous stent. More concerning were two severe
blockages (70–80% and 90%, one heavily calcified) in the left superficial
femoral artery, the main artery supplying blood to the leg. The cardiac team at the hospital, first
performed a routine coronary angioplasty to restore blood flow to the
heart. However, treating leg artery required a more advanced approach.
Unlike heart arteries, leg arteries are
exposed to external pressure from daily activities such as sitting and bending,
making long-term stenting less reliable. To overcome this challenge, doctors
used a state-of-the-art atherectomy device for the first time at the
facility. The device works with a high-speed, drill-like rotating tip that
carefully shaves off hardened cholesterol and calcium deposits from inside the
artery. A built-in suction system simultaneously removes debris, preventing
it from travelling to smaller vessels. This prepares the artery for safer
balloon treatment and significantly reduces the need for permanent stents.
Explaining the procedure, Dr. Ranjan Kr
Sharma said, “In patients with severe calcium buildup in the arteries,
inflating a balloon alone can damage the vessel and may force us to place a
stent. Atherectomy helps by safely removing the hardened plaque first, making
the treatment safer, reducing complications, avoiding unnecessary stenting, and
ensuring better long-term outcomes. Earlier, recurrence rates were around
15–20%, but with this advanced technology, they can drop to less than 2–3%.
With lifestyle-related diseases on the rise, Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is
becoming increasingly common. PAD is more frequently seen in people with
diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a history of smoking, and
studies show that nearly 20% of patients with coronary artery disease may also
develop it. Since symptoms are often mistaken for nerve pain, diagnosis is
delayed, and in severe cases, the disease can progress to limb discoloration or
even gangrene. Early diagnosis and advanced treatments like atherectomy can
prevent major complications and significantly improve quality of life.”
The additional step takes just 15–20 minutes
and is minimally invasive. The patient was monitored for 24 hours due to the
small groin puncture used to access the artery and was discharged the next day.
He was advised to resume normal activities almost immediately.
Expressing his relief, the 75-year-old
patient Nabin Das (name changed) shared, “Walking had
become painful and stressful. I was worried about losing my mobility. After the
procedure, I feel comfortable and confident again. I am thankful to the doctors
for giving me back my active life so quickly.”
With the introduction of this cutting-edge
atherectomy technology, Manipal Hospital, Saltlake further strengthens its comprehensive
cardiac and vascular care services, offering safer procedures, faster recovery,
and improved long-term outcomes for patients across Eastern India.