At Heart & Vascular Superspeciality Hospitals a.k.a HVS Hospitals, we take pride in ourselves of having a team of experienced and new age cardiologists who are committed in providing comprehensive & advanced cardiac care in Mumbai. Our highly skilled heart specialists employ cutting-edge technology & infrastructure to deliver unparalleled cardiac care to our patients.
Our network of hospitals spans across Mumbai located at Dadar, Ghatkopar & Borivali, allowing patients to easily find a cardiologist near them. Each heart specialist in our team brings with them extensive experience in preventive & interventional cardiology. From regular heart health screenings to treating complex & structural heart diseases, the network of HVS Hospitals brings quality & evidence based cardiac care close to your home.
At HVS Hospitals in Mumbai, our cardiology team brings together leading heart specialists skilled in managing a wide range of cardiac conditions.
Structural & Interventional Cardiologist
MD, DM, DNB (Cardiology), FSCAI
Location - Ghatkopar
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Structural & Interventional Cardiologist
MD, DM (Cardiology), FSCAI
Location - Dadar
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Cardiologist & Structural Heart Specialist
MBBS, DNB (Medicine), DrNB (Cardiology)
Location - Borivali
View profileInterventional Cardiology is a super-specialized branch of cardiology that uses catheter-based techniques to treat various heart conditions — especially those related to blocked arteries, structural heart problems, or abnormal heart rhythms. Simply put, interventional cardiologists fix heart problems from the inside, without major surgery.
It’s like plumbing — but for your arteries.
These procedures are done through small punctures, usually in the wrist or groin, guided by live X-ray imaging (called fluoroscopy). No big incisions, no long scars — just precision work with tiny tools.
Both are heart specialists, but their roles differ:
| Type | What They Do |
|---|---|
| General Cardiologist | Diagnoses and manages heart conditions using medications, lifestyle advice, and tests. |
| Interventional Cardiologist | Performs procedures like angioplasty, stenting, and valve repairs to treat blocked arteries or structural issues — without open surgery. |
If the general cardiologist is your heart's coach, the interventional cardiologist is the star striker who scores the critical goals.
A few decades ago, treating heart disease meant one thing: open heart surgery. It was effective (& in many cases it still is) but came with long hospital stays, visible scars, higher risks, and significant downtime.
Then came a German dual doctor (a radiologist & a cardiologist) Dr. Andreas Gruentzig, who challenged the existing practices as he wanted to provide care to patients for whom contemporary medicine provided little hope. The eccentric rebel who performed the first successful coronary angioplasty in 1977. Since then, interventional cardiology has not just progressed — it has exploded.
Here's how far we've come:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1977 | First balloon angioplasty (Germany) |
| 1986-1994 | Introduction and wide use of coronary stents |
| 2002 | Drug-eluting stents reduce chances of restenosis |
| 2011 | Radial (wrist) access becomes popular — less pain, faster discharge |
| 2014 | TAVI/TAVR for high-risk valve patients approved in India |
| 2020s | Bioresorbable scaffolds, AI-guided angioplasty, and robotic-assisted PCI gaining traction |
Today, even heart valves can be replaced without a single stitch. What was once major surgery is now a daycare procedure in many hospitals.
Interventional cardiology changed the medical space forever:
Interventional cardiology didn't just evolve, it revolutionized how we treat heart disease.
| Feature | Interventional Cardiology | Surgery (e.g. Bypass) | Medications Only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasiveness | Minimally invasive (wrist/groin puncture) | Highly invasive (open chest) | Non-invasive |
| Recovery Time | 1-3 days | 7–10 days hospital + 6–8 weeks total | None |
| Pain & Scars | Minimal | Significant | None |
| Anesthesia Needed | Usually local + mild sedation | General anesthesia | None |
| Suitability for Elderly/High-Risk Patients | Excellent | Often risky or contraindicated | Safer but may not be effective alone |
| Immediate Relief in Emergencies | Life-saving (e.g. PPCI in heart attack) | Rarely used as emergency | Limited |
| Repeatability | Can be repeated safely | Complex repeat surgeries | Possible but insufficient alone |
Despite being with real benefits, the present level still adheres to 'medicine being an imperfect science', interventional cardiology has some real-world limitations:
1. Not Always a Permanent FixStents can re-block (restenosis). Some patients may need repeat procedures or even surgery later.
2. Limited Role in Diffuse DiseaseFor patients with multiple, heavily calcified blockages or diabetic multi-vessel disease, bypass surgery may still be superior.
3. Device-Dependent OutcomesThe success of procedures like TAVR or pacemaker implantation heavily relies on device quality, sizing accuracy, and operator expertise.
4. Skill Matters MassivelyA poorly done stenting job is worse than no procedure. Outcomes are operator-dependent and vary significantly across hospitals.
5. Costly in Complex CasesWhile angioplasty is cheaper than surgery in most cases, complex interventions (e.g. TAVR, multiple stents, hybrid procedures) can rival or exceed surgical costs, especially in private hospitals.
6. Limited Long-Term Data in Newer TechniquesMany latest interventions are less than 10–15 years old. Surgery has 40+ years of outcome data. So, for some cases, the "test of time" is still continuing.
Each approach has its place. The trick is right patient, right treatment, right timing.
Patients need to take expert opinion to determine options available for them. While interventional cardiology is preferred protocol for many common medical conditions, it needs to be discussed with the treating doctors. Patients may want to consult multiple specialists before taking a decision.
At this juncture, Heart & Vascular Superspeciality Hospitals (HVS Hospitals) can help. Our multi-disciplinary heart care teams work together to determine the best protocol for best possible outcome for the patient. HVS Hospitals are equipped with modern tech and supported by experienced and skilled heart specialists. We can help you understand the various options for you to make an informed decision.
Used to open up narrowed heart arteries using a balloon and place a stent (a small mesh tube). Think of it like de-clogging a pipe.
2. Primary Angioplasty (PPCI)A life-saving emergency procedure done during a heart attack to restore blood flow.
3. Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) & Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS)Advanced tools to assess artery blockages more precisely before stenting.
4. TAVI / TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation/Replacement)For severe valve disease in elderly/high-risk patients — a new valve without open heart surgery.
5. Balloon ValvuloplastyTo open up narrowed heart valves (commonly mitral valve).
6. Device Closure of Holes in Heart (ASD, VSD, PDA)Especially useful for congenital heart diseases, even in children.
7. Pacemaker / ICD / CRT Device ImplantationFor irregular heartbeats or weak heart muscles.
8. Rotablation / Lithotripsy-assisted AngioplastyFor treating very hard calcium-filled arteries, common in diabetic patients.
Interventional cardiology represents the best of modern medicine — blending precision, technology, and compassion. It's not a replacement for heart surgery, but it's often a smarter first move, especially when time is critical or the risk is high.
If your heart is in trouble just don't think "bypass". Ask and check if there's a catheter-based fix. It's your right.
Interventional cardiology has changed heart care from something that required bravery and a long hospital stay to something that feels more like a "heart tune-up". But it's not magic. It's medicine, judgment, and technology working together.
Make sure you're not just getting the easiest option, but the most appropriate one.
