TFP Bureau, Raipur, May 3, 2025: In a significant advancement for Indian cardiology, the Advanced Cardiac Institute (ACI) at Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Medical College and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital has successfully performed a high-risk angioplasty using the cutting-edge Excimer Laser Coronary Angioplasty (ELCA) technique. The procedure was broadcast live to cardiologists across India, marking a milestone in collaborative medical learning and innovation.
The case involved a 73-year-old patient whose earlier angioplasty attempt at a private hospital had failed due to heavy calcium deposits blocking the coronary artery and anatomical complications. The patient was later admitted to ACI, where a team led by Dr. Smit Srivastava, with support from Dr. Kunal Ostwal, Dr. S.K. Sharma, Dr. Pratik Gupta, and a dedicated medical team, carried out the complex procedure under the Chief Minister’s Special Assistance Scheme.
Using the ELCA technique, which employs laser energy to vaporize hardened calcium blockages, the team was able to clear the obstruction and successfully place two stents in the artery. The entire process, including advanced imaging through Coronary Intra Vascular Ultra Sonography (IVUS) and the use of a precision cutting balloon, was watched live by cardiologists nationwide as part of a virtual workshop organized during the Cardiological Society of India’s national conference in Jabalpur.
“This wasn’t just a successful surgery—it was a national learning moment,” said Dr. Srivastava. “The real-time interaction allowed specialists across the country to observe and clarify complex aspects of the procedure.”
The demonstration reinforced ACI’s growing reputation as a center of excellence in interventional cardiology and showcased Chhattisgarh’s emerging leadership in advanced healthcare solutions.
