Cardiovascular disease continues to be India's biggest health challenge, accounting for nearly one in every three deaths in the country[1], and coronary artery disease (blockages in the heart arteries) remains one of the leading causes of heart attacks and heart failure[2]. 

As lifestyle-related diseases continue to rise, doctors are increasingly encountering patients with severe calcium deposits inside their heart arteries, making treatment more challenging. To address this, cardiologists at Gurugram-based Medanta– The Medicity, ranked India’s best hospital by Newsweek in 2026, are offering Shockwave Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL), an advanced, minimally invasive treatment that employs ultrasonic pressure waves to safely break up hardened calcium within the artery walls.

Heart blockages occur when fatty deposits, cholesterol and calcium build up inside the arteries. Over time, these deposits harden and narrow the arteries, reducing blood flow and increasing the risk of chest pain, heart attacks and heart failure. Traditionally, treatment has included medicines, lifestyle changes, angioplasty and stenting. However, when the blockage contains large amounts of hardened calcium, opening the artery and placing a stent can become difficult and may increase the risk of complications.

Padma Shri awardee Dr. Praveen Chandra, Chairman, Interventional Cardiology at Medanta Gurugram said that during the Shockwave IVL procedure, the cardiologist guides a small balloon catheter to the blocked artery and delivers controlled pressure waves that crack the calcium deposits without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue. This makes the artery more flexible and allows doctors to expand the artery and place a stent more effectively.

Dr. Chandra said, “One of the biggest challenges in treating coronary artery disease is the presence of severe calcium buildup in the arteries. These hard deposits can prevent proper stent expansion and affect long-term outcomes. Shockwave IVL has significantly improved our ability to treat such complex cases safely and effectively. By targeting only the calcium and preserving healthy tissue, the technology helps us achieve better results for patients.”

Explaining how the technology enables more effective treatment in complex cases, Dr. C Manpa Phom, Associate Consultant, Interventional Cardiology at Medanta Gurugram said, “Many patients are unaware that calcium deposits inside the arteries can make heart procedures more complicated. Shockwave IVL is helping us overcome this challenge and offer treatment to patients who may otherwise have limited options. It represents an important advancement in heart care and is improving both the safety and success of angioplasty procedures.”

Dr. Chandra said that Shockwave IVL improves stent placement and blood flow in patients with heavily calcified coronary artery disease. The procedure also reduces the risk of injury to the artery wall compared to more aggressive treatment methods. He added, “Another important advantage is patient recovery. Since the procedure is performed through a catheter inserted into the blood vessel, most patients experience less discomfort and can return to their normal activities relatively quickly.”

As cardiovascular care continues to evolve, technologies such as Shockwave IVL are helping make complex heart procedures safer, more effective and more accessible for patients with advanced coronary artery disease.

[1] https://www.ndtv.com/health/cardiovascular-diseases-cause-one-third-of-all-deaths-in-india-report-9220979
[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10305862/