PGI docs perform shockwave intravascular lithotripsy

Chandigarh, February 2

The Department of Cardiology performed the path-breaking intravascular shockwave lithotripsy for the first time in northern region. The treatment was performed on a 52-year-old male patient from Himachal Pradesh, who was suffering from severe form of coronary artery disease.

The patient was having daily episodes of rest chest pain. He was refused for coronary artery bypass surgery due to high risk and diffuse disease in coronary arteries. The procedure was carried out successfully by Dr Yash Paul Sharma and Dr Prashant Panda. Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) is a newly available treatment for calcified coronary plaque prior to stent placement. At low balloon pressure, lithotripsy electrodes inside the system generate pulsatile mechanical energy that disrupts the calcium at the target site and allows for the optimisation of stent deployment and expansion.

The operation was done performed without any complication. The department has already achieved very low mortality rates in patients with acute coronary syndrome, cardiogenic shock and heart failure. With this procedure more number of patients with coronary artery disease who are not candidate for intervention will be treated safely and effectively. — TNS