Expressnews
Chennai, 17th July, 2026: Prashanth Hospitals, one of South India’s leading super-speciality healthcare providers, today announced the introduction of Excimer Laser Coronary Atherectomy (ELCA) at its Velachery unit, becoming the first hospital in South Chennai and the second in Chennai to offer the advanced laser angioplasty technology. The addition marks a significant milestone in expanding access to advanced cardiac care for patients with complex coronary artery disease, enabling quicker intervention, minimally invasive treatment and faster recovery closer to home. The facility was launched by Director Mr. K. S. Ravikumar in the presence of the Dr. Aravind Duruvasel, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiologist, Pashanth Hospitals and Dr. Prashanth Krishna, Director – Prashanth Group of Hospitals.
Designed to treat some of the most challenging coronary blockages, ELCA uses a specialised ultraviolet laser to precisely vaporise plaque and clot that cannot be effectively treated with conventional angioplasty alone. The technology offers a new treatment option for patients with chronic total occlusions, clot-heavy heart attacks, uncrossable lesions and failed or under-expanded stents. Performed through a small puncture in the wrist or groin, the procedure enables faster recovery, with many patients able to walk within 24 hours, while offering a minimally invasive alternative to bypass surgery for select patients.
The introduction of ELCA further strengthens Prashanth Hospitals’ advanced interventional cardiology programme. Complementing existing technologies such as Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) and Rotational Atherectomy, ELCA completes the hospital’s comprehensive toolkit for treating complex coronary artery disease, allowing specialists to tailor treatment based on each patient’s condition and deliver better clinical outcomes.
Adding to this, Dr. Prashanth Krishna, Director – Prashanth Group of Hospitals, said “At Prashanth Hospitals, our vision has always been to ensure that patients have access to the most advanced medical technologies without having to travel far from home. The introduction of Excimer Laser Coronary Atherectomy (ELCA) is another important milestone in our commitment to bringing world-class cardiac care to South Chennai. As heart disease continues to grow in complexity, it is imperative that hospitals invest not only in cutting-edge technology but also in the expertise required to deliver the best possible outcomes. This addition further strengthens our comprehensive cardiac programme and reinforces our commitment to providing timely, minimally invasive and patient-centric care for the communities we serve.”
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Aravind Duruvasal, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiologist, Pashanth Hospitals, said “Cardiac disease is becoming increasingly complex, and no two blockages are the same. While conventional angioplasty continues to be highly effective for most patients, there are cases where specialised technologies are essential to achieve the best possible outcomes. Excimer Laser Coronary Atherectomy allows us to safely treat some of the most difficult coronary lesions, restore blood flow with greater precision and, in carefully selected patients, avoid more invasive procedures. More importantly, bringing this technology to South Chennai ensures that patients have timely access to advanced cardiac care closer to where they live, especially during emergencies where every minute counts. At Prashanth Hospitals, our focus has always been on combining clinical expertise with cutting-edge technology. The addition of ELCA enhances our ability to manage highly complex coronary interventions while ensuring patients benefit from minimally invasive treatment, faster recovery and better long-term outcomes.”
Launching the facility at the event, Director Mr. K. S. Ravikumar said “Heart disease has become one of the biggest health challenges facing families today. Access to advanced medical technology should never be a privilege limited by geography. It is heartening to see Prashanth Hospitals bringing such a sophisticated treatment option to South Chennai, making world-class cardiac care more accessible to people in the region. I congratulate the entire team for their continued commitment to saving lives through innovation and clinical excellence.”
With the addition of ELCA, Prashanth Hospitals further strengthens its advanced interventional cardiology programme. Combined with state-of-the-art Cath Labs, an experienced team of interventional cardiologists and advanced technologies such as Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) and Rotational Atherectomy, the hospital offers comprehensive, evidence-based treatment for the full spectrum of coronary artery disease. Backed by round-the-clock emergency cardiac services and a multidisciplinary heart team, Prashanth Hospitals continues to deliver advanced, patient-centric cardiac care, ensuring timely access to world-class treatment for patients across South Chennai and neighbouring regions. Following its introduction at the Velachery unit, Prashanth Hospitals is set to expand ELCA technology across its other hospitals in Chennai, further strengthening access to advanced cardiac care for patients across the region.
