Rane Hospital and Medical Research Centre Achieves Landmark Milestone in Cardiac Care with First-Ever IVUS Guided Procedure in Sindhudurg

In a significant leap forward for interventional cardiology, the team at Rane Hospital successfully performed the hospital's first-ever Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) guided coronary stent implantation, marking a new era of precision medicine in cardiac treatment.

The patient was suffering from a significant blockage extending from the Left Main Coronary Artery—the crucial primary vessel supplying blood to most of the heart—into the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery, often called the "widow-maker" for its critical importance. The groundbreaking procedure was led by Dr. Nikhil Sontakke with able assistance of Dr. G. T. Rane, who utilized the state-of-the-art Acist HDi IVUS system from Translumina to treat a complex blockage in a patient’s critical heart arteries.

A Clear View from the Inside: The Power of IVUS

This landmark procedure was powered by the Acist HDi IVUS system from Translumina, a platform renowned for its superior imaging quality. Unlike traditional angiography, which provides a 2D "shadow" of the blood vessel, IVUS involves a miniature ultrasound probe on the tip of a catheter. This device is threaded inside the coronary artery, providing Dr. Sontakke and his team with a real-time, 360-degree, high-resolution view from inside the vessel.

This detailed imaging was pivotal. It revealed the exact composition and characteristics of the plaque causing the blockage:

The distal LAD section was identified as fibrotic, a tough, scar-like tissue.

The mid-section of the LAD was calcified, a hardened, bone-like deposit that presents a challenge for treatment. Crucially, IVUS confirmed a good lumen area in the Left Main artery, providing a stable foundation for the procedure.

"IVUS is like turning on the lights in a dark room," explained Dr. Nikhil Sontakke. "Before, we had to make educated guesses about the plaque's nature and the vessel's true size. With IVUS, we could see the exact status of the lesion—its volume, composition, and distribution—allowing for a perfectly tailored and safer intervention."

Ensuring the seamless operation of this advanced technology was IVUS technician Mr. Azhar Shahid from Translumina, who was present throughout the entire procedure. His expert assistance guaranteed that the Acist HDi system performed optimally, providing the clinical team with uninterrupted, high-fidelity imaging when it mattered most.

A Procedure of Precision and Expertise

Armed with this precise roadmap, the team executed a meticulously planned intervention:

1. Pre-dilatation: The blocked vessel was carefully prepared using a 2.5 mm balloon to open the pathway.

2. Stent Placement: A long, 3.0 mm by 44 mm drug-eluting stent was deployed with pinpoint accuracy, covering the entire diseased segment from the LAD ostium (opening) distally.

3. Verification of Success: Post-stenting, the IVUS catheter was used again to confirm the result. The imaging confirmed the stent was perfectly apposed, meaning it was fully expanded and firmly in contact with the vessel wall, with no complications. This ensured the restoration of an optimal lumen area, guaranteeing unimpeded blood flow to the patient's heart muscle.

This final verification step is the gold standard in modern angioplasty, drastically reducing the risk of future complications like stent thrombosis or re-blockage.

Celebrating a Hospital-Wide Achievement Following the procedure, the entire cardiac team celebrated this historic success, which establishes a new standard of care at the hospital.

"This is not just a procedural first; it's a commitment to providing our patients with the most advanced, evidence-based cardiac care available anywhere in the world," said a hospital’s Director Mr. Ajit T. Rane. "The successful integration of IVUS into our cath lab empowers our cardiologists to perform procedures with unparalleled confidence and outcomes. We are immensely proud of Dr. Sontakke and his entire team for this remarkable achievement."

This landmark case firmly positions Rane Hospital & Medical Research Centre at the forefront of interventional cardiology, promising a healthier future for heart patients in the region.

About IVUS: Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) is a medical imaging methodology that uses a specially designed catheter with a miniaturized ultrasound probe attached to its distal end. It provides cross-sectional, real-time images of blood vessels from the inside, offering invaluable information beyond traditional angiography.