Amor Hospital performs rare procedure to save 68-year-old with blocked heart vessel

HYDERABAD: In a remarkable medical feat, Amor Hospital successfully treated a 68-year-old female patient with a rare heart condition involving blocked main vessels and severe calcification.

Dr. Imran Ul Haq, a consultant interventional cardiologist at Amor Hospital, performed this rare procedure, which gave new hope for patients suffering from complex cardiac conditions.

The patient initially displayed signs of giddiness and loss of consciousness, prompting a series of diagnostic tests.The patient's ECG revealed a bifascicular block, necessitating the use of a permanent pacemaker due to the absence of other apparent causes.

A Holter monitor revealed intermittent complete heart block, causing her heart rate to drop to 18-20 beats per minute, increasing her risk of cardiac arrest. The medical team discovered a tight proximal Left Anterior Descending Artery(LAD) lesion during a coronary angiogram.

Despite the fact that blood flow was found to be normal, the calcification in the LAD made conventional stent insertion challenging prospect. The hospital utilised Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), an advanced technology that offers high-resolution 3D images of coronary arteries, to accurately detect calcium buildup.

The Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) with intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) was successfully used to break down calcification and restore normal blood flow.

"This case demonstrates the power of innovative medical technology in treating complex cardiac conditions. We were able to address the severe calcification and clear the blockage with precision using OCT and IVL, giving our patient a new lease on life, " said Dr. Imran Ul Haq.

The patient underwent a two-day post-procedure monitoring period and was discharged after demonstrating significant improvement in her health.