Tamil Nadu's first Laser Angioplasty Centre launched by Kauvery Hospital

Tamil Nadu's first Laser Angioplasty Centre launched by Kauvery Hospital
Chennai, 5th February 2021:Kauvery Hospital, one of the leading healthcare chains in Tamil
Nadu launched the state's first laser angioplasty centre. Laser angioplasty is a technique where
laser light is used to remove blockages in coronary arteries that are traditionally labelled, ‘not
treatable’ with angioplasty. Recently a 60-year-old woman was successfully treated through laser
angioplasty by the team at Kauvery Hospital.
"In this procedure, a catheter is inserted into an artery that emits advanced laser light rays which
eliminates tough blockages in its path, the ones which could not have been treated with
conventional angioplasty," explains DrA B Gopalamurugan, Senior Interventional Cardiologist
& Electrophysiologist, Chief of Department for Transcatheter Valve & Endovascular Therapies,
Kauvery Hospital.
The 60-year-old woman had symptoms of chest pain and she was diagnosed with blocks in her
arteries. She was recommended an open heart surgery as it could not be treated with
conventional angioplasty. Since the patient had renal failure and was on dialysis she was hesitant
to undergo an open heart surgery. Later the family approached DrA B Gopalamurugan, and upon
examination of the patient’s angiogram, he recommended laser angioplasty, a technique which
could be used to open up the blood vessels of the heart which otherwise could not be treated
through conventional angioplasty. The patient was admitted to the Hybrid Catheter lab at
Kauvery Hospital, she underwent laser angioplasty and was discharged within 24 hours post
treatment, completely free from any complications.
"This procedure eliminates the conventional need for open-heart surgery in many patients, it is
a highly precise and effective treatment enhancing the quality of life for many patients. It
minimises hospital stay where the patient can go back home within 24 hours of the procedure,
thereby preventing hospital acquired infections. The total time taken to perform this procedure
was close to two hours and within a few hours after treatment, the patient was able to walk,"
adds DrGopalamurugan.