Laser angioplasty gains ground as patients opt for faster heart treatment

Bengaluru: When 68-year-old Pradeep Kenneth Daniels from Kodagu felt a familiar, tight pain in his chest in Aug, he feared the worst. A decade earlier, the retired project financial controller had survived a heart attack and received four stents. This time, though initial tests like ECG and echocardiogram appeared normal, a coronary angiogram revealed a 95% blockage in one of his stented arteries — a potentially life-threatening situation.

But instead of undergoing the conventional balloon angioplasty, Pradeep was advised a more advanced procedure: laser angioplasty. Within hours, a laser-equipped catheter vaporised the plaque blocking his artery. A supporting stent was then placed to ensure long-term relief. He was discharged the very next day.

"I could feel the difference almost immediately," Pradeep said. "These med-tech advancements such as laser angioplasty are transforming patients' lives — recovery is faster and the discomfort is minimal."


Across Bengaluru, more patients like Pradeep are now turning to laser angioplasty, a minimally invasive, precision-driven cardiac procedure that is quickly becoming the preferred choice for treating complex arterial blockages, especially in cases of re-narrowed stents.

Vishwas Nayak, 50, who was advised to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery, found laser angioplasty to be a safer, more effective alternative.

According to Dr Keshava R and Dr Anand Shenoy from Manipal Hospitals (Old Airport Road), laser angioplasty is fast emerging as a game-changer in interventional cardiology. "This technology allows us to treat complex blockages that were once difficult to manage. Even when multiple stents are involved, laser angioplasty reduces clinical effort and improves outcomes," said Dr Keshava.

Dr Anand added, "With better precision and less trauma to the artery, we can save more lives and reduce the risk of future complications."

Back in May, 55-year-old Vijaya Kumar Gedda underwent a similar treatment. After he developed chest pain just months after a previous stent replacement, a CT angiogram showed 90% in-stent restenosis — a re-narrowing of the artery. Instead of traditional angioplasty, he too opted for laser angioplasty followed by treatment with a drug-coated balloon to prevent recurrence. "The recovery was incredible," Gedda said. "I was home the next day and back to work within a week. I've realised regular health check-ups after 40 are not optional — they're essential."

Doctors feel laser angioplasty could become a frontline option for cardiac care in India for patients seeking quicker recovery.