Angioplasty gives man with 100% blocks, a new lease of life

Coimbatore-based Narayanan (68) couldn’t have been a more relieved man. Suffering for three years with two 100 per cent blocks and later developing another block, he had lost hope of leading a normal life. He had tried a number of non-invasive procedures at other hospitals, but it wasn’t very useful. Having suffered a polio attack that had affected his left leg, he didn’t want his other leg to be operated upon for venous grafts. In the absence of any solution, a few days before the surgery, Narayanan was barely able to walk a few metres and was suffering from chest pain.

Last month, he underwent an angioplasty at Apollo Hospitals, Vanagaram. Dr Anand Gnanaraj, senior consultant and interventional cardiologist, employed Japanese techniques that involved complex coronary angioplasty for all the three 100 per cent blocks that were opened successfully in a single sitting. The technique employs highly specialised wires, catheters and balloons. “It was a two-hour procedure and it went without any complications and he was discharged on the second day of the surgery,” said Dr Gnanaraj, talking on the sidelines of a press meet on Wednesday. 

He explained that the procedure was challenging for several specialists. “The procedure is challenging and requires considerable amount of expertise and training. This is the first time that such a procedure has been carried out in the Southern part of the country,” he added. 

Dr Gnanaraj also pointed out that though challenging, the procedure was definitely worth a try. 

“Many don’t take it up for these reasons, but we want to highlight through Narayanan’s case that the procedure should be attempted at least once. The only other option is a bypass surgery,” he said.