Kolkata: A 59-year-old male patient underwent a highly complex CTO-angioplasty
using IVUS guidance at Manipal Hospital, Broadway, under the
supervision of Dr Norihiro Kobayashi, renowned Interventional
Cardiologist from Yokohama City Hospital, Japan. The patient was admitted
under Dr Arijit Ghosh, HOD – Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal
Hospital, Broadway with complaints of chest pain on exertion. Coronary
angiography revealed a critical blockage in the left coronary artery and a 100%
blockage in the right coronary artery, a condition known as Chronic
Total Occlusion (CTO).
CTOs develop
gradually over several years and are among the most difficult coronary
blockages to treat. Due to the dense and hardened nature of the block, many
patients are advised to undergo bypass surgery. However, advancements in
interventional cardiology now allow select CTOs to be treated through minimally
invasive angioplasty using specialised tools, such as Intravascular
Ultrasound (IVUS) and micro-guidewires, requiring exceptional precision and
expertise.
The procedure
was performed at Manipal Hospital, Broadway during a complex coronary
workshop by Dr Kobayashi as the international proctor, along with the
Cath Lab team at the hospital, led by Dr Subhasis Roy Chowdhury, Director –
Cath Lab, Manipal Hospital, Broadway. The team was able to open the totally
blocked artery with advanced hardware, IVUS imaging and specialized wires. The
patient has responded well and is likely to be discharged within a day, a big
advantage of this over conventional bypass surgery.
Sharing his
experience, Dr Subhasis Roy Chowdhury, Director – Cath Lab, Manipal
Hospital, Broadway said, “CTO interventions are among the highest-level
cardiac procedures performed in catheterization labs around the world. The
success of this case highlights how use of cutting-edge technology and expert
collaboration can alter the course of treatment in patients who would otherwise
have to undergo open-heart surgery. With IVUS-guided and advanced wires, we
could navigate and open the arteries that were hitherto considered impassable
by angioplasty."
Dr Arijit
Ghosh, HOD – Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Broadway
said, “When a patient comes with a completely blocked artery, the fear of
open-heart surgery is natural. Being able to treat him through angioplasty,
without opening the chest, and seeing him recover so quickly is deeply
rewarding. The presence of Dr Norihiro Kobayashi and his insights on CTO
techniques played a significant role in refining our approach. Such
international collaborations strengthen our capabilities and allow us to offer
cutting-edge treatment options to our patients right here in Kolkata.”
During the
workshop, Dr Kobayashi also shared that in Japan, the number of bypass
surgeries has significantly reduced in recent years, as interventional
cardiology has become highly advanced and the preferred choice for most
patients due to lower complication rates and much faster recovery.
Such
advanced CTO-angioplasties at Manipal Hospital, Broadway offer a highly
effective alternative to bypass surgery, resulting in shorter hospital
stay, quicker return to daily activities, and an overall improved patient
experience.