In a remarkable stride for medical innovation in Goa and the wider Konkan region, Manipal Hospital Goa has successfully performed a high-risk coronary angioplasty using the advanced ROTA-PRO device, setting a new benchmark in interventional cardiology. The landmark procedure, conducted on an 84-year-old patient with multiple comorbidities, marks the first-ever use of the ROTA-PRO technology in the entire Konkan belt.
This isn’t just a story of cutting-edge medical equipment—it’s a story of courage, teamwork, and the triumph of science over risk.
A High-Stakes Challenge
The patient, a known case of chronic kidney disease and ischaemic cardiomyopathy, was previously diagnosed in October 2024 with a critically narrowed (90–95% stenosis) left anterior descending (LAD) artery, one of the heart’s most crucial blood vessels. The artery was also heavily calcified, making traditional intervention methods risky and less likely to succeed.
Initially advised to undergo coronary angioplasty at the time, the patient had deferred the decision. However, after multiple hospitalisations due to recurrent heart failure in mid-2025, his condition reached a point where intervention became unavoidable.
What made this case particularly challenging was not just the age of the patient, but the combination of fragile heart function, kidney issues, and the hardened state of the artery—making him an extremely high-risk candidate for open-heart surgery.
Enter: ROTA-PRO and the Power of Precision
Under the leadership of Dr. Nikhil Sontake, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Manipal Hospital Goa, a multidisciplinary team came together to evaluate the best possible treatment pathway. After consulting with the cardiothoracic surgical team, it was determined that coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was far too risky given the patient’s overall condition.
Instead, the team turned to ROTA-PRO, a sophisticated device used in a technique known as rotablation. This method is designed to break through severely calcified coronary lesions, where conventional angioplasty balloons may fail. Using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance for precision, the procedure was meticulously performed on 17th July 2025.
Dr. Sontake reflected on the case, stating,
“Given the patient’s advanced age and multiple comorbidities, this was a particularly challenging case. The successful use of the ROTA-PRO device allowed us to treat a severely calcified artery that would have otherwise been inoperable. It’s a proud moment for our team and a significant step forward for cardiac care in the Konkan region.”
A Hopeful Outcome
The outcome? A smooth and successful procedure with the patient responding well post-surgery. He was discharged in stable condition on 19th July 2025, with ongoing cardiac follow-ups scheduled as part of his long-term care plan.
For the family, it was more than a procedure—it was a second chance. For the doctors and medical team, it was a validation of years of training, teamwork, and the power of evolving technology.
What This Means for Goa and the Region
With the successful execution of this complex, high-risk angioplasty, Manipal Hospital Goa has officially brought next-generation interventional cardiology to the Konkan coast. The availability of ROTA-PRO technology now empowers the hospital’s Cardiology Department to treat high-risk, previously inoperable heart patients with greater safety and efficacy.
For a region where access to complex cardiac interventions was previously limited, this milestone represents a beacon of hope for patients and families alike, especially the elderly and those with severe comorbidities.
A New Era in Heart Care
This breakthrough is not just a singular achievement; it symbolizes the evolving face of healthcare in Goa—one that combines compassion with capability, and technology with trust.
As Goa continues to grow as a medical tourism and healthcare hub, such innovations underline the state’s potential to deliver world-class treatment locally, without patients needing to travel outside the region for advanced care.
For those living with high-risk cardiac conditions, the message is clear: Help is not just available—it’s advancing every day, right here in Goa.
For consultations or more information about advanced cardiac care, visit Manipal Hospital Goa or call their Cardiology Department directly.
