95-Year-Old Survives Major Heart Attack After Complex Angioplasty at PROMED Hospital

Chennai: PROMED Hospital, a leading centre for advanced cardiac and critical care, has successfully performed a protected angioplasty on a 95-year-old man — one of the oldest patients in Asia to undergo such a complex heart procedure. The case underscores the hospital’s expertise in providing safe and effective cardiac treatment for elderly patients.

The patient, Mr. S, was admitted to PROMED Hospital after suffering a major heart attack (NSTEMI) that significantly impaired his heart function.

Despite his age and multiple health conditions — including hypertension, anemia, and a previous stroke in 2023 — the cardiac team led by Dr. Arun Kalyanasundaram, Director and Head of Cardiology, performed a multi-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with advanced technology and careful pre-procedure planning.

To ensure maximum safety, doctors used the Impella CP, a miniature heart pump that provides temporary cardiac support during high-risk angioplasty. Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) imaging was also used for precise stent placement by providing real-time, detailed visuals inside the arteries.

Drug-Eluting Stents (DES) were successfully placed in the Right Coronary Artery (RCA) and Left Main Artery (LMA), while Drug-Eluting Balloons (DEB) were used to treat blockages in the Posterior Left Branch (PLB) and Diagonal artery — an advanced approach rarely performed in this age group.

The procedure was completed smoothly without complications. Mr. S recovered well and was discharged in stable condition within a few days. He has since returned to light physical activity and his daily routine, reflecting a strong recovery for a nonagenarian cardiac patient.

“Performing angioplasty on a 95-year-old with multiple medical challenges required precision and thorough planning at every step,” said Dr. Arun Kalyanasundaram. “From diagnosis to final stent placement, our team ensured patient safety while aiming for complete recovery.”

Dr. Spoorthi Arun, Founder and Managing Director of PROMED Hospital, added, “This protected angioplasty using the Impella heart pump highlights how advanced cardiac technology, when combined with experience and empathy, can deliver safe outcomes even in complex, high-risk cases.”

Expressing gratitude, Mr. S said, “After my heart attack, I was told the situation was serious. When doctors said treatment was possible, I found hope again. Today, I can walk, talk, and spend time with my family. They didn’t just treat my heart — they gave me my life back.”

This successful protected angioplasty demonstrates India’s growing capability in performing complex cardiac procedures for elderly patients with international safety and precision standards.