Dedicated Bifurcation Stent technology used for Complex Bifurcation angioplasty at Apollo Hospitals Chennai, a first in Tamil Nadu, helps many !

A new dedicated specially designed Nile Pax stent was used by Dr. G. Sengottuvelu, Senior Consultant & Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai to clear the blockage that was formed in the coronary artery involving two branches.

Bifurcation lesion means there is a blockage in a site where the blood vessel divides into two and is more challenging to treat. Two branches of the blood vessel have narrowing. If a balloon angioplasty is performed in one, there are chances of the other branch closing. Conventionally one or two stents are placed and there are chances of recurrence in the side branch.

According to Dr. G. Sengottuvelu, “the last patient was a diabetic lady with single vessel disease with a bifurcation lesion, a blockage in a site where the blood vessel divides into two affecting both branches”.

He explained that, “In such a case if a balloon angioplasty is performed in one, there are chances of the other branch closing, which would lead to further complications. Hence we used the advanced Nile Pax Stent (dedicated bifurcation stent) which is shaped in such a way to remove narrowing from both the branches and has to be inserted through two wires to place it simultaneously in both branches”.

Dr. Sengottuvelu also added, “This particular stent has several advantages. Stent covers both branches and is drug coated, helps in accessing both branches of the artery for future treatment if requited. Also the quantity of dye used and the duration of the procedure is much less.

Dr. Sengottuvelu further added that these procedures are done through the hand approach and Nile Pax (Dedicated bifurcation stent) stent helped to complete the angioplasty within 40 minutes, thereby reducing the complications and the risk involved in the procedure ensuring quick recovery of the patient.