Laser therapy techniques being preferred over stents to remove vein blockages

For many years now the process of inserting a stent has been adopted to remove the blockages of the veins. But now, laser therapy technology is being used by doctors to overcome this problem, as this process is much simpler than stenting

New Delhi: The blood circulation in the body occurs through the arteries. When a blockage occurs in these arteries and the smooth circulation of blood stops, then a condition of heart attack is created in humans. Stents often have to be inserted in patients to remove these blockages. But, now the blockage of the arteries can be removed even without putting a stent.

Laser therapy technology is being preferred by many other hospitals of the country including Medanta Hospital located in Gurugram. Dr Praveen Chandra, chairman of the Department of Interventional and Structural Heart Cardiology at Medanta Hospital, says that the laser therapy technique is simpler than the process of stenting. Many times when a stent is inserted after angioplasty, it does not work, which is called a stent failure.

In some patients, the chances of the stent working are less, and for such patients, the arteries are first cleaned using laser technology. Then with the help of a medicated balloon, medicine is released into the arteries, due to which the blockage of the artery gets completely removed. After the removal of blockages using this technique, there is no further possibility of blockages. At the same time, the vein completely retains its natural position. Further advantages of laser therapy technology are:

• The laser therapy technique is effective in most blockages.
• The possibility of blockage again remains negligible.
• After removing the blockage with laser therapy, the patient gets discharged on the same day.
• This treatment is done without any anaesthesia or incision.
• Laser therapy technology is a more effective treatment for a longer period.
• There is no possibility of a sudden blockage in this, unlike stenting.

Dr Praveen Chandra claims that in the last year, 300 to 400 patients have been treated with laser therapy techniques in Medanta Hospital. The patient feels more comfortable getting treated with this technique. The patients are admitted, treated and discharged on the same day using this technique. There is no negative thought or fear in the patient's mind due to non-invasive treatment. While it takes two days for the patient to be discharged from the hospital after a stent is inserted.

Dr Praveen Chandra explains that in the laser therapy technique to remove blockages from blood vessels, a catheter that emits high-energy light (laser) is used to open the arteries. It evaporates and clears the blockage without damaging the veins' walls. In many cases, the laser clears the blood passage so effectively that patients do not even require a stent afterwards. This technology also eliminates the need for bypass surgeries in patients.

Dr Chandra warns that this technique cannot be used in every patient. First, the patient is examined to find out what kind of blockage is there in their veins. Only after that, the decision of whether to adopt the laser technology or stent insertion process is taken. Dr Chandra explains that laser technology being easy and non-invasive (without tearing) is a bit expensive as compared to stent insertion. It costs up to three lakh rupees to remove a blockage using laser technology. While the cost of inserting a stent is around one and a half to two lakh rupees. Because of this, everyone might not be able to afford this treatment.