Laser Angioplasty in India: Your Path to Cardiac Health
As per the latest findings from the Global Burden of Disease study and as reported by the Institute for Health Metrics at the University of Washington in Seattle, it has been revealed that India experiences a mortality rate of 272 per 100,000 individuals due to cardiovascular diseases. This figure surpasses the global average of 235.
The good news is that with the advancement of technology, the fear that cardiac issues once provoked has reduced.
Luckily, the advancement of technology has helped treat cardiac issues successfully. Laser angioplasty is one such instance of technological advancement and it has an 80% success rate.
To know more about this cutting-edge procedure, let’s learn more.
Thomas lives in Lagos, Nigeria. a life filled with ambition and dreams. His life took a complete u-turn when one afternoon, while at work, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. The sensation gripped his heart and sent shockwaves throughout his body.
Terrified and struggling to breathe, he was rushed to a nearby hospital.
After tests and examinations, Thomas was diagnosed with severe coronary artery disease. His arteries were clogged, hindering the flow of blood to his heart.
The doctors in Lagos informed him that without immediate intervention, he was at risk of a heart attack, which could be fatal.
Desperate to find a solution, Thomas and his family started exploring treatment options. However, the local hospitals in Nigeria lacked the advanced facilities and expertise required for the complex procedure he needed – laser angioplasty. His family reached out to various medical professionals in the country, but the cost of the procedure was astronomical, and they couldn’t afford it.
Amidst their despair, a glimmer of hope emerged. Through their network of friends and acquaintances, they learned about MedicoExperts, an organization that specializes in medical tourism and connecting patients with top-notch doctors and hospitals around the world.
Thomas’s family decided to reach out to them, hoping for a miracle.
MedicoExperts understood the urgency of Thomas’s situation. They quickly got to work, leveraging their extensive network of medical experts and facilities to find the best solution. After careful consideration, they recommended a renowned cardiologist in India who was an expert in laser angioplasty.
The team at MedicoExperts facilitated all the necessary arrangements. They also negotiated the cost of the procedure, ensuring that Thomas would receive world-class treatment at a fraction of the price he had been quoted locally.
Thomas and his family traveled to India with renewed hope. Upon their arrival, they were greeted by a team of MedicoExperts representatives who escorted them to the chosen hospital.
Under the expert care of our cardiologists, Thomas underwent a successful laser angioplasty procedure. The operation was a turning point in his life. With the blockages in his arteries cleared Thomas felt healthier again.
The experience of receiving world-class healthcare in a foreign land was made smoother by the constant support and guidance provided by MedicoExperts.
After a few weeks, Thomas was ready to return to Nigeria, his heart on the mend, and his dreams rekindled. MedicoExperts continued to assist with post-operative care and follow-up consultations to ensure his full recovery.
Stories like this bring that much-needed glimmer of hope to your life, isn’t it?
Cutting-edge procedures like laser angioplasty have made it possible to keep that light of hope ignited. To understand how, let’s learn what is laser angioplasty.
What is laser angioplasty?
Simply put, laser angioplasty is a medical procedure used to treat blocked or narrowed blood vessels, mostly arteries. The doctors use a special laser to remove or vaporize the plaque buildup or blockage within the blood vessel, restoring proper blood flow.
During the procedure, your doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into the affected artery, and then direct a laser to the site of the blockage. The team then apply laser energy to break down the plaque, allowing the artery to widen and improve blood flow. Laser angioplasty is often used along with other treatments, such as stent placement, to help keep the artery open and reduce the risk of re-blockage.
This minimally invasive procedure is a valuable option for patients with atherosclerosis (the build-up of fat, cholesterol, or other substances in and on the artery walls) or other vascular conditions, as it can help alleviate symptoms like chest pain (angina) and reduce the risk of serious complications such as heart attacks or strokes.
What is the step-by-step procedure for laser angioplasty?
The first thing you need to do is consult a vascular specialist or an interventional cardiologist to get an idea about the exact nature of your problem. Then, the doctors will decide on the treatment strategy considering your health and medical conditions.
Once the treatment plan is chalked out, your treatment will start. Here are the general steps involved in the procedure:
you will be prepared for the procedure in an operating room or catheterization lab. This may involve cleaning and sterilizing the area where the catheter will be inserted, commonly in the groin or wrist.
The area where the catheter will be inserted is numbed with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
Your doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into the artery through a small incision. The catheter is carefully guided through the blood vessels using X-ray or other imaging techniques until it reaches the site of the blockage.
Once the doctor positions the catheter, a laser fiber is advanced through the catheter to the blockage site. The laser is then activated, delivering energy to the plaque or blockage. The laser energy vaporizes or breaks down the plaque, opening up the narrowed artery.
Throughout the procedure, the healthcare team monitors the patient’s vital signs and the treatment progress using imaging equipment.
In some cases, Your doctor may opt for a stent angioplasty after laser angioplasty.
Once the procedure is complete, the doctors remove the catheter carefully and apply pressure to the insertion site to prevent bleeding. The incision is typically small and may not require sutures.
After the procedure, patients are monitored in a recovery area for some time. They may need to lie flat and keep the leg or arm with the catheter insertion site still for a few hours to allow the blood vessel to heal.
Patients will have follow-up appointments with their healthcare provider to monitor their progress and ensure the treated artery remains open and functioning properly.
What is the success rate of Laser angioplasty?
The success rate of laser angioplasty can vary depending on the specific case and the condition of your arteries. In general, laser angioplasty is successful in opening up narrowed or blocked arteries in a significant percentage of cases. Generally, success is defined as achieving a satisfactory increase in blood flow through the treated artery without any major complications during the procedure.
As per research, the angiographic success rate is 80% in patients treated with laser angioplasty while it is 79% in patients treated with balloon angioplasty.
What are the risk factors for laser angioplasty?
Though laser angioplasty is a comparatively safe procedure, it is not without some risks:
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Bleeding
There can be bleeding at the catheter insertion site.
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Artery Damage
Laser energy might harm the artery wall.
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Infection
Infection at the catheter entry point is possible.
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Allergic Reactions
Some people may have allergies to contrast dye used during the procedure.
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Blood Clots
Clots may form in the treated artery.
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Restenosis
The artery can narrow again after laser angioplasty.
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Stroke
Rarely, particles dislodged during the procedure may cause