WHEN STENTS FAIL, LASER STEPS IN: GIVING PATIENTS A SECOND CHANCE THROUGH ADVANCED CARDIAC CARE
Pune, 4th June 2026: Cardiovascular disease is affecting Indians at increasingly younger ages. Studies indicate that over 50 percent of coronary artery disease-related deaths in India occur in individuals under the age of 50, while nearly one in four heart attacks are reported in people younger than 40. Maharashtra has also witnessed a growing burden of heart disease among younger populations, with rising cases among men in their 30s and women between 40 and 60 years of age. Pune, too, has seen an increase in heart attack cases among teenagers and young adults under 30, a trend experts attribute to sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy dietary habits, rising stress levels and other lifestyle-related risk factors.
As more patients undergo angioplasty and live longer after their initial treatment, cardiologists are increasingly seeing patients return years later with recurrent blockages, narrowed stents and complex coronary artery disease. For many, treatment often means another stent, repeat interventions or even bypass surgery. At Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Deccan Gymkhana, advanced cardiac laser therapy is helping expand treatment options for such patients, offering a minimally invasive approach that can help restore blood flow, support faster recovery and, in selected cases, avoid additional stents or bypass surgery.
The impact of the therapy is reflected in the lives of patients across age groups and life stages. A 76-year-old man was able to avoid bypass surgery after developing a severe blockage inside a previously implanted stent, allowing him to return to the comfort of everyday life. For a 21-year-old man with a complex coronary blockage, the treatment restored blood flow while avoiding additional permanent implants, helping safeguard a future filled with ambitions and milestones yet to come. Similarly, a 56-year-old man who had already survived two heart attacks underwent laser-assisted angioplasty for recurrent blockages, enabling him to move forward without the burden of another major cardiac procedure. While their journeys were different, the outcome was the same—a renewed chance at life, health and hope.
Advanced cardiac laser therapy is very helpful for treating stents that didn’t work, complicated blockages, and arteries with a lot of calcium, using a method that doesn’t require big cuts, and most patients go home within 24 hours.
Speaking about the growing role of the technology, Dr. Abhijeet Palshikar, Director – Cardiology, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, said, “As more patients undergo angioplasty and live longer after their initial treatment, we are witnessing a rise in complex coronary artery disease requiring repeat intervention.Advanced cardiac laser technology has significantly strengthened our ability to manage these challenging cases with greater precision. We are increasingly utilising this technique for specialised redo angioplasties where previously implanted stents have failed, enabling effective treatment while helping many patients avoid bypass surgery.”
Dr. Nilesh Singh, Hospital Director, Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Deccan Gymkhana, “The introduction and use of advanced cardiac laser technology reflect our focus on expanding access to contemporary cardiovascular care for patients. This approach has supported the management of complex coronary conditions through a minimally invasive method. Such innovations contribute to improved clinical outcomes and patient experience, while helping reduce the need for repeat interventions in suitable cases. Over time, this has also supported the care of many patients across different clinical profiles.”
For patients living with failed stents, recurrent blockages and complex coronary artery disease, advanced cardiac laser therapy is offering more than an alternative treatment option—it is helping many return to their families, careers and everyday lives with renewed confidence and hope.
