Doctors at Prashanth Hospitals performed twin heart procedures on a 62-year-old man who was admitted with a severe heart attack, and who also had diabetes, a press release said.

The patient was brought to the emergency department with severe breathlessness caused by acute pulmonary oedema, a life-threatening condition in which fluid rapidly accumulates in the lungs.

Further evaluation revealed that he had suffered a silent heart attack without being aware of it, leaving his heart severely weakened with an ejection fraction (EF) of just 30%, compared to the normal 55–65%. Doctors first implanted a miniature temporary heart pump to reduce the heart’s workload.

Once the patient’s condition was stabilised, the team identified that the blocked artery contained a complex mix of fresh blood clot, hardened plaque and scar tissue, preventing conventional balloons from crossing the blockage. Doctors then used Excimer Laser Coronary Atherectomy (ELCA) to clear the obstruction, creating a pathway for balloon angioplasty and successful stent placement.

The three-hour team procedure was led by Aravind Duruvasal, senior consultant – interventional cardiologist at the hospital, the release said.

Published - August 04, 2026 07:00 pm IST