Breakthrough in Complex Angioplasty Apollo Hospitals offers Next Generation Excimer Laser Treatment

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading health concern in India and around the world. It occurs when fatty deposits, called plaque, build up within the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This buildup can narrow the arteries and restrict blood flow, potentially leading to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. When coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked, a minimally invasive medical procedure angioplasty is used to widen the arteries and restore the blood flow. Sometimes doctors need to adopt more refined interventional cardiology procedures to open blocked arteries in patients with complex forms of CAD.

On this score, yet again, Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai has proved that it is a frontrunner in introducing the latest technologies , treatment and care for the benefit of patients world over. Advanced technologies like the Excimer Laser are transforming treatment outcomes in cardiac care and Apollo Hospitals Greams Road offers Next Generation Excimer Laser ( PLS system) for complex angioplasty procedures.

Advances in Complex Angioplasty 

Advanced Excimer Laser system was successfully used by the interventional cardiology team led by Dr. Dhamodharan K, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiologist, to treat a 53-year-old woman with chronic total occlusion of her main coronary arteries. The patient had undergone multiple stenting procedures and bypass surgery for recurring blockages but the angina did not abate. Following complex laser angioplasty by Dr. Dhamodharan K and his team, blood flow was restored seamlessly. One-year follow up showed her doing very well without angina. 

This procedure was showcased during the annual Tamil Nadu Interventional Cardiologists Council conference, standing testimony to Apollo Hospitals’ role in clinical innovation and physician training.

Benefits of Excimer Laser Therapy 

Excimer Laser therapy is especially beneficial for patients with severe coronary artery disease, heavily calcified blockages, total occlusions, and prior stent failures—conditions often untreatable with conventional angioplasty. Using a 308-nanometre ultraviolet beam, the system works through photochemical, photothermal, and photomechanical effects to safely and precisely clear blockages. With a penetration depth of just 50 microns (the width of a human hair), it ensures exceptional precision and safety within coronary vessels. 

When is Complex Angioplasty Warranted? 

Complex angioplasty is used to treat challenging blockages like

◆ Chronic total occlusions (CTO), which are blockages that have been present for an extended period. 

◆ Heavy calcification when hardened calcium deposits occur within the artery. 

◆ Bifurcation lesions when blockages are located where an artery branches into two. 

◆ Long blockages or extensive narrowing of the artery.

Benefits of Complex Angioplasty 

Complex angioplasty offers numerous benefits for patients with severe or complicated coronary artery disease: 

◆ Improved blood flow, reducing symptoms of angina and the risk of a heart attack. 

◆ Enhanced quality of life where patients often experience improved energy levels, less chest pain, and a greater ability to engage in physical activities.

 ◆ In many cases, complex angioplasty is a less invasive alternative to open-heart surgery, with shorter recovery times.

Advanced System The Next Generation Excimer Laser PLS (Pulsed Laser System) is an advanced medical technology for treating complex heart conditions and removing problematic cardiac leads, using a cool, ultraviolet light beam to precisely photo ablate lesions (light beam destruction) like calcium and plaque . The excimer laser system offers a minimally invasive approach to a range of cardiovascular issues, including chronic total occlusions, in-stent restenosis, and the extraction of embedded pacemaker or defibrillator leads. This technology helps interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists treat previously unmanageable conditions with enhanced precision and safety.

Featuring insights from Dr. Dhamodharan K., Senior Consultant - Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, Greams Lane, Chennai

📞 For appointments, call Apollo Hospitals Chennai at 044 4040 1066