Rajasthan Hospitals successfully accomplishes rare Peripheral Vascular Procedure


Ahmedabad, 20 March 2013

At the Gujarat Research & Medical Institute (Rajasthan Hospital), a patient with complex case of blockage was treated with a Peripheral Cutting Balloon device for the very first time in Gujarat. The unconventional approach to a highly complicated surgery was accomplished by eminent interventional cardiologist, Dr. Hitesh Shah. The extremely complex interventional procedure uses minimal invasion thereby reducing the risk involved and also the time required.

Sharing details on the surgery Dr. Hitesh Shah, interventional cardiologist said, “Peripheral Cutting Balloon is a special device wherein a balloon is mounted with longitudinal microsurgical blade, which is USFDA approved and is used for resistant fibriotic stenosis. This device is very new in India and the procedure performed was first of its kind in Gujarat. The innovational alternative is a curative option for bypass and effectively bore positive outcome. But we should be always careful about the symptoms and imbibe necessary medical treatment if there is something wrong. Always be careful towards symptoms like numbness or cramping of the muscles, sores, wounds or ulcers that heals slowly, visible change in color and temperature and diminished hair or nail growth on the affected area. We at Rajasthan Hospitals consider Patient Care as our core objective and adopting latest techniques and procedures is a necessity to accomplish this purpose”.

Mr. Laxman Meena, 56yr old native of Kherwara town, Udaipur suffered a complex case of blockage involving main stem artery to right brain (Brachiocephalic Artery). As a result of the blockage, the said portion of the artery becomes hard and fibrous and therefore non treatable by conventional balloon procedure. Using the peripheral cutting balloon angioplasty, the doctors are able to clear this blockage by considerably reducing the risk involved. In this case, the peripheral cutting balloon angioplasty has also been used to cure two other blockages on the same side of the brain that is Brain Artery (Carotid Artery) and Arm Artery (Subclavian Artery).

Incidence and prevalence of the disease involving Peripheral Arteries is rising in India, and according to a data survey nearly 6-7% of the overall population of Gujarat is affected by the disease. Living an unhealthy lifestyle, indulging into poor food habits and the race to succeed has taken its toll on the lives of the Ahmedabadi people, where 2700 cases of PVD (Peripheral Vascular Disease) are reported every year. Also other risk factors that contribute to its ever increasing cases include smoking or use of tobacco in any form that is the single most variable cause of PVD internationally, diabetes that increases the risk PVD (Peripheral Vascular Disease) four times, obesity or any family history of vascular disease or heart attack.

Dr. Shah further stressed on the diagnosis and treatment of PVD, by saying “Ankle Brachial Pressure Index is the primary treatment done on the suspicion of the disease, followed by Doppler ultrasound and angiography. For further course we treat the patient by managing his diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol with medication in the form of antiplatelet drugs, but at the same time I would stress upon the homely remedies in the form of regular exercise and walking”.

Not only PVD (Peripheral Vascular Disease) can be cured with Peripheral Cutting Balloon procedure but transient ischemic attack (TIA) also called intermittent attack of paralysis as well as transient episode of neurologic dysfunction caused by ischemia (loss of blood flow) can also be cured through this procedure. The risk factors for the same are somewhat similar to PVD, like diabetes, hypertension and can also be cured through interventional carotid plasty.

About The Gujarat Research & Medical Institute (Rajasthan Hospital):

The Gujarat Research & Medical Institute is a charitable trust, founded and registered in the year 1982, when the then members felt dearth of specialty health care facilities in and around the city of Ahmedabad and more so in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.