Guwahati’s Apollo Excelcare Hospital has achieved a historic medical first by performing Northeast India’s inaugural combined Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and coronary angioplasty. This breakthrough marks a significant leap in bringing advanced cardiac treatment closer to patients across the region.
The complex intervention was carried out by a highly skilled team of cardiologists—Dr. Neil Bardoloi (Director & Head – Cardiology), Dr. Dhanjit Nath, Dr. Amitava Misra, and Dr. Diganta Buragohain—who collaborated seamlessly to perform two critical heart procedures in a single session.
A Challenging Case Addressed with Precision
The patient, a 67-year-old man from Shillong, Meghalaya, was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, a serious narrowing of the heart’s aortic valve, alongside a significant blockage in the Left Circumflex (LCX) artery. His condition was further complicated by Stage 5 chronic kidney disease, requiring regular dialysis.
Due to his high-risk profile, open-heart surgery was not considered safe. The team opted for a minimally invasive solution, combining TAVI and angioplasty in one procedure under a single anesthesia cycle.
The intervention began with angioplasty to restore blood flow in the blocked artery, followed immediately by TAVI, during which a balloon-expandable MyVal prosthetic valve replaced the diseased aortic valve. This dual approach effectively restored cardiac function while avoiding the risks associated with traditional surgery.
A Regional Breakthrough in Cardiac Care
“The successful integration of complex coronary and structural heart procedures in a single minimally invasive operation is a game-changer for the Northeast,” the cardiology team stated. “It allowed us to minimize surgical risk, shorten recovery time, and provide a life-saving option to a patient with very limited alternatives.”
The patient demonstrated remarkable improvement and was discharged within days. Grateful for the care, he shared, “I feel like I’ve been given a second chance at life. The quick recovery has been a miracle.”
Transforming Access to Advanced Heart Treatments
This achievement underscores Apollo Excelcare Hospital’s commitment to expanding access to advanced cardiac care in Northeast India, eliminating the need for patients to travel to distant metropolitan centers for world-class treatment. The TAVI procedure offers faster recovery, reduced hospital stays, and minimal discomfort—especially vital for elderly or high-risk patients. The implanted prosthetic valve is expected to last 10–12 years, with the option for future valve-in-valve replacement if required.
(Photo courtesy: apollohospitals.com)