Multiple Stenting through Keyhole Surgery is the new trend in elderly suffering from advanced cardiac ailments

New Delhi: In an extremely rare case a 73-Year-old male, was treated for multiple artery blockages via multiple stenting through keyhole surgery performed by Dr. N N Khanna, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals and Group Advisor of Apollo group of Hospitals along with his team.

Patient Roop Singh Sidhu was suffering from multiple co-morbidities. He presented with a history of hypertension, short episodes of transient paralysis (transient ischemic attack) TIA, hypertension and varicose veins. Roop could hardly walk due to pain in his legs, leading a restricted life. These were because of multiple blockages in the brain artery, kidney artery, and leg artery.

Traditionally, blockages were treated by open and bypass surgeries. However, in this case, the treatment of the blockages was done without even putting a knife, through the keyhole procedure.

Dr. Khanna said "A few years ago, the mere mention of the stent and open heart surgeries was a dreaded factor among patients. However, with the advancement in technology, surgical procedures have been taken over by keyhole endovascular therapies. Here, a small puncture is made in the artery or vein and a micro-catheter is used to engage the respective artery and then the blockage is cleared by balloon, atherectomy, rotational atherectomy or stent. Roop's case was a high-risk case owing to his age and multiple blockages. We took utmost care to see that the patient is able to lead a healthy and normal life, and is fully independent and functional."

Mr P Shivkumar, CEO, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals said, "With the advanced technology & care and the team of specialized medical experts, Apollo Hospitals Group is always committed to providing the best of healthcare services to the public at large. Owing to a sedentary lifestyle, consumption of junk and unhealthy food and lack of physical activity, etc. the burden of NCDs in India is growing manifold and one needs to proactively look after his health to avoid being a victim of these."

Post the keyhole procedure, patient Roop said, "I feel like 30 at the age of 73, thanks to Dr. Khanna and his team. The procedure was smooth and I was discharged within two days. For more than a year, my movement was restricted to within the home, with slow and steady steps due to the blockages in a heart artery and varicose veins. Now I am able to move freely and engage in all social activities."

Cardiovascular diseases are on an all-time high in India because of poor lifestyle, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and also the aging population and increased life expectancy. The aging process itself affects the cardiovascular system, thus we need to take care of our heart health proactively to lead a healthier life in the older age.