PGI centre beams live cardiac procedure

The Advanced Cardiac Centre (ACC) at PGIMER, Chandigarh, achieved a significant milestone by broadcasting a complex cardiac procedure live to the National Interventional Council (NIC 2025) conference, held in Mumbai from June 26 to 29.

The live transmission, conducted on June 28, featured a challenging case of bypass graft angioplasty performed on an elderly patient, who had undergone coronary bypass surgery 15 years ago and a stent implantation four years back. The patient presented with renewed chest pain, attributed to stent blockage and fresh obstructions in other grafts.

Led by Professor Rajesh Vijayvergiya and his team from the Department of Cardiology, the procedure was transmitted in real-time from PGIMER’s cutting-edge catheterisation lab. Two blocked grafts were treated using advanced interventional tools such as Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) — technologies available at only a handful of premier centres in India.

“This was a technically complex case that required high-level expertise and precision,” said Prof Vijayvergiya. “It highlights our commitment to delivering top-tier cardiac care at accessible costs.”

The live demonstration sparked a dynamic discussion among leading cardiologists attending the NIC 2025 conference, who explored the clinical challenges, techniques, and innovations showcased during the session. The case offered a practical and educational insight into modern interventional cardiology, particularly for high-risk, post-surgical patients.

Prof Vijayvergiya emphasised the value of such live case demonstrations, noting that PGIMER frequently broadcasts procedures to national and international platforms. “These sessions are vital for the continuing education of interventional cardiologists and help promote evidence-based, evolving techniques that enhance patient outcomes.”

The broadcast reaffirmed the PGI’s standing as a leader in advanced cardiac care and a centre of excellence for medical education and innovation.