Prashanth Hospitals has introduced excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA), an advanced laser angioplasty technology, at its Velachery unit to offer a minimally-invasive treatment option for patients with complex coronary artery disease.

ELCA, which is designed to treat some of the most challenging coronary blockages, uses a specialised ultraviolet laser to precisely vaporise plaque and clots, which cannot be effectively treated with conventional angioplasty alone, a press release said. During a presentation on ELCA on Friday, Aravind Duruvasal, senior consultant, interventional cardiologist at the hospital, said it used ultraviolet light to break the chemical bonds within organic compounds and sonic waves to crack the hardened tissue.

“ELCA allows us to safely treat some of the more difficult coronary lesions, restore blood flow with greater precision, and in carefully selected patients, avoid more invasive procedures,” he said in the release.

It is performed through a small puncture in the wrist or groin. He said those with in-stent restenosis, moderately calcified lesions, ostial lesions, lesions that previously failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and occluded saphenous vein graft can undergo ELCA.

Film director K.S. Ravikumar launched the facility. Prashanth Krishna, director, Prashanth Group of Hospitals, was present.

Published - July 17, 2026 06:54 pm IST