Age Is Just a Number When Science Meets Precision
In a remarkable case at Backbone Medicity Hospital in Rajkot, Gujarat, Dr. Nikhila Pachani — Consultant Interventional Cardiologist — successfully treated a 98-year-old gentleman suffering from critical limb ischemia. The patient was a non-smoker with a past history of coronary artery disease and a previous anterior wall heart attack (MI).
What Is Critical Limb Ischemia?
Critical limb ischemia is a serious condition where the blood supply to the legs becomes severely reduced. Without treatment, it can lead to tissue damage, non-healing wounds, or even limb loss. Early and precise treatment is essential.
The Challenge
Treating a 98-year-old patient comes with extra responsibility. The team's goal was simple but important: restore healthy blood flow while keeping risks as low as possible and avoiding any permanent implant inside the vessel.
How Was the Procedure Done?
The team used a technique called Peripheral Angioplasty guided by OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography). OCT is a high-resolution imaging tool that works like a camera inside the blood vessel. It helps the doctor see the exact size and shape of the blockage before and after treatment.
Instead of placing a metal stent (a permanent wire mesh tube), Dr. Pachani used a Drug-Eluting Balloon (DEB). This special balloon opens the blocked artery and releases medicine directly into the vessel wall to prevent re-narrowing — all without leaving any permanent metal behind.
The procedure was performed in collaboration with Dr. Krish Jivani and MD Akash Pachani.
The Result
The procedure was completed successfully with excellent restoration of blood flow to the limb. The patient benefited from:
- ✅ Precise imaging with OCT
- ✅ A minimal-metal strategy using a drug-eluting balloon
- ✅ Reduced risk of long-term complications
- ✅ Faster recovery compared to open surgery
What This Means for Patients
This case shows that advanced, minimally invasive procedures can be performed safely even in very elderly patients when the right technology and expertise are available. Age alone should never be a reason to deny a patient proper care.
If you or a loved one has leg pain at rest, non-healing wounds on the feet, or known vascular disease, please consult a qualified cardiologist or vascular specialist for a proper assessment and personalised advice.