In a groundbreaking achievement for coastal Karnataka, the cardiology team at Indiana Hospital and Heart Institute Mangalore, led by Dr. Yusuf Kumble, Chief Interventional Cardiologist, has successfully utilized cutting-edge orbital atherectomy technology to treat heart blocks. A patient with multiple blockages, who had been advised to undergo CABG at other hospitals, sought out Indiana Hospital to explore newer treatments. Embracing the challenge, the hospital — known for its integration of the latest medical technology — successfully performed multi-vessel angioplasty and stenting, thereby avoiding the need for bypass surgery.

For patients with multiple blocks with calcium deposits getting angioplasty done is difficult. The new technology, known as atheroablative technology, uses orbital atherectomy to cut and remove these calcium blocks. The device operates with a viper-like movement inside the vessel, breaking the calcium into tiny particles. This method is highly recommended for cases where direct conventional angioplasty is not feasible.” Dr. Kumble added, “Calcified lesions are difficult to treat because they are hard, and conventional balloon angioplasty is often ineffective. Only after the calcium blocks are got rid off, stents can be placed While tools such as rotational atherectomy, intravascular lithotripsy, and specialized balloons are available, the introduction of the orbital atherectomy device provides an additional option for treating calcified blocks. It is particularly useful for large vessels with long, calcified, eccentric lesions.” Orbital atherectomy works by opening up calcified plaques before stenting.