No need for amputation for gangrene, angioplasty helps

A patient suffering from gangrene can now save his limb from amputation, as a new technology helps in undertaking bypass surgery of the leg with blocked arteries.

A 60-year-old patient became the first case where an interventional cardiologist conducted a rare angioplasty of gangrene in his leg with blocked arteries, at a private hospital here.

A hundred per cent blocked artery responsible for gangrene, requiring immediate amputation, was opened and cured by angioplasty, said Ravindra Singh Rao, an expert in interventional cardiology, and the doctor who conducted the rare operation.

The blood flow in the patient was restored and his leg was saved from amputation, he said.
 
Since artery of same limb was blocked, an operating catheter was passed through artery of other limb, he said.

From other limb the cathered entered into the aorta and then passed through the blocked artery of the diseased limb, Dr Rao added.

“This is the first successful case where angioplasty through other limb was used for impending gangrene in a patient who had bypass surgery of the leg arteries in the past,” said the doctor.

It cost him about Rs .1.5 lakh.

Diabetes and smoking are the two main reasons for such problems, he said, adding everyone needs to encourage healthy lifestyle and avoid smoking.