Lari to get laser tech to unclog arteries

Lucknow: Patients with blocked heart arteries may soon benefit from a new procedure called excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) at the Lari cardiology department, where an advanced laser system costing around Rs5 crore is expected to become operational in the next 2-3 months. The technology will help clear hardened calcium deposits in arteries and, in some cases, reduce the need for metal stents. Head of the department, Prof Rishi Sethi said calcium accumulates in arteries supplying blood to heart, making angioplasty difficult. In laser atherectomy, a thin catheter carrying a laser fibre is passed into the blocked artery. The device delivers very short pulses of ultraviolet laser energy that break and vaporise hardened plaque and calcium into microscopic particles, which are then washed away in the bloodstream. This clears the passage and allows better blood flow and, if needed, makes stent placement easier and safer. Doctors said about 10-15% of heart patients have heavily calcified arteries difficult to treat with conventional methods, and this technology is particularly useful. "In selected patients with less severe narrowing, clearing the blockage may even eliminate the need for a stent," said Prof Pravesh Vishwakarma, faculty at the cardiology department.Organising secretary, Prof Akshaya Pradhan said Walking 10,000-12,000 steps daily can significantly reduce risk of heart ailments.