Manipal Hospitals conducts workshop on Advanced Complex PCI Techniques, led by French cardiologist

Manipal Hospitals, one of India’s largest healthcare networks, held an advanced workshop on ‘Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)’ techniques at their Mukundapur, Kolkata Unit. The event took place against the backdrop of India’s growing cardiac health challenges and was led by Dr Marc Silvestri, an interventional cardiologist from Clinique Axium in Aix-en-Provence, France. The workshop involved live demonstrations and discussions on the latest PCI advancements aimed at addressing critical cardiac care challenges.

The briefing session included cardiologists and healthcare professionals from Manipal Hospitals, such as Dr Uttam Kumar Saha, HOD-Cardiology at Manipal Hospitals, Mukundapur, Dr Amit Bhauwala, Consultant – Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur, Dr Dilip Kumar, Director of the Cardiac Cath Lab and Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist at Medica Super Speciality Hospital (now part of Manipal Hospitals), and Dr Soumya Patra, Consultant & Incharge – Cardiology, Manipal Hospitals, Mukundapur. The experts highlighted the increase in heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths, particularly in younger adults, and emphasised the importance of advanced PCI technology.

This minimally invasive PCI procedure is used in treating heart attacks and severe coronary artery disease by reopening obstructed arteries to restore blood flow. The workshop included three live case demonstrations, showcasing new PCI methods designed to address complex coronary conditions that traditional PCI methods may not resolve.

Dr Uttam Kumar Saha elaborated on these methods, explaining, “Intravascular Lithotripsy is an advanced method for treating arteries with tough calcium buildup. It uses sound waves to safely break up the calcium, making it easier to place stents in cases where regular procedures are difficult. Intra-coronary Imaging uses detailed tools like Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) to get a clear view of artery structure. This helps doctors diagnose patients accurately and plan personalised treatments.”

During the briefing session, Dr Dilip Kumar remarked on the procedure’s benefits, stating, “It is an alternative treatment for open-heart surgery and is very effective, particularly for the high-risk population, offering a less invasive and safer option that offers faster recovery. By reducing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue, Complex PCI can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life. Additionally, in severe heart attack emergencies, this procedure can rapidly open blocked arteries and save lives.”

Dr Soumya Patra highlighted the relevance of the workshop in the current healthcare landscape, saying, “With post-COVID cardiac events rising at an alarming rate, particularly among young adults, this workshop offers an opportunity for knowledge exchange in today’s rapidly evolving landscape of cardiac care. Dr Silvestri’s expertise in complex PCI procedures brings invaluable insights that can enhance our approach to managing challenging cases and elevating patient care. While Complex PCI is not new in India, gaining a global perspective and learning about the technology directly from such an esteemed expert provides tremendous value for us as cardiologists.”

Dr Ayanabh DebGupta underscored the significance of hosting Dr Silvestri, noting, “It is our pleasure to host Dr Marc Silvestri at Manipal Hospital, Mukundapur. Manipal Hospitals is committed to making cardiac care progressively advanced across its group hospitals. Through this workshop, our Cardiologists will now have access to this cutting-edge technique. As a healthcare organisation we are concerned with the alarming rise in heart diseases in India, especially among India’s younger population. While we are training CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) to all around us to save one precious life as preventive care, such workshops strengthen our clinicians to deliver quality care as per international standards.”