A new treatment option- coronary shockwave lithotripsy balloon offers hope to patients who develop blockage in heart due to severe calcification. The usual angioplasty technique is not possible on such patients.
Now this rare technique is being used in Government Rajindra hospital under the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and able guidance of Medical Education Minister Dr Balbir Singh.
A 76 years old patient with heart attack underwent this new procedure at Rajindra Hospital Patiala. Dr. Saurabh Sharma, Assistant Professor and Incharge, Department of cardiology at Rajindra Hospital found that patient had 99 percent blockage which was severely calcified on angiogram.
Dr. Saurabh Sharma performed rotablation where a diamond coated burr is used to break the calcium and shockwave lithotripsy was used to break deep seated calcium in artery and finally stents were put to open the artery.
While divulging the details Dr. Saurabh Sharma told “this technique would be extremely useful for those suffering from advanced form of coronary artery disease, having chest pain in which blockages become very hard due to calcium.
This happens in 15 to 20 % of patients undergoing stenting, especially who are old, diabetic, having chronic kidney disease or who had undergone bypass surgery. In shockwave lithotripsy a balloon with ultrasound emitters is inserted in the artery and pulses are delivered which break the calcium.
This is extremely useful for deep seated calcium in arteries.” Dr. HS Reikhi, Medical Superintendent, Rajindra Hospital told that this Intravascular Lithotripsy has been carried out for the first time in Patiala region including private multispeciality corporate hospitals.
Dr. Rajan Singla, Director Principal, Govt Medical College told that cardiology department is treating all kind of heart patients including complex cases.