Cardiology team at Fortis Mohali successfully treats 93-year-old and 70-year-old high-risk patients with advanced techniques previously considered inoperable.
Chandigarh, June 30: In a remarkable medical achievement, Fortis Hospital Mohali has successfully performed advanced angioplasty on elderly patients with high-risk and complex heart conditions, marking a significant step forward in interventional cardiology. The procedures were conducted on patients previously deemed unfit for bypass surgery or traditional angioplasty.
In one case, a 93-year-old man, suffering from complex coronary artery disease and general physical frailty, underwent successful angioplasty to treat a major arterial blockage. In another instance, a 70-year-old diabetic patient with heart failure, kidney disease, and blockages in all three main coronary arteries also underwent a high-risk angioplasty. Neither patient was a candidate for open-heart surgery. However, with the help of cutting-edge medical technology and expert care, both patients have made a full recovery.
Dr. Sudhanshu Budakoti, Senior Consultant, Cardiology, at Fortis Mohali, shared that the 93-year-old patient had a history of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Coronary Artery Disease, and was admitted with severe chest pain. While a 2022 coronary angiography had advised CABG (bypass surgery), his age and frailty ruled out surgical options, leading to medical management instead.
Despite medication, his condition did not improve, prompting doctors to reconsider intervention. After detailed discussions with the patient and his family, repeat angiography was advised, which revealed calcified triple vessel disease. Due to the severity of calcification, normal stenting was not feasible without plaque modification techniques.
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The patient was counseled about specialized procedures such as Rotablation, Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL), and Laser Angioplasty—technologies that break up hardened calcium deposits in artery walls. After informed consent, a complex angioplasty using IVL technology was performed, where gentle shockwaves are delivered via balloon to soften calcified arteries, allowing smooth stent placement and restored blood flow.
The intervention was focused on the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery, the most critical artery supplying blood to the front wall of the heart. The angioplasty (PCI) was successful, and the patient was discharged the very next day without any chest pain.
This case, among others, highlights Fortis Mohali’s leadership in treating high-risk cardiac cases through innovative, minimally invasive procedures, offering hope to elderly and fragile patients previously considered untreatable.
