Not long ago, a blocked artery or a failing heart valve in an elderly patient could mean major surgery, or being told that surgery was too risky. Today, many of these problems can be treated through a small puncture in the wrist or leg, with no large incision.
That shift was the focus of ACVS India 2026, held at the Trident, Hyderabad from 24 to 26 July. Organised by the FACTS Foundation, which Dr. A. Sreenivas Kumar founded and directs, this 17th edition brought together about 1,500 doctors and 23 live cases.
Quick takeaways
- Many valve and artery procedures no longer need open surgery.
- Hardened, calcium-filled arteries now have dedicated treatment tools.
- The right procedure depends on the patient, and that decision should be made by a heart team.
- A successful procedure is only the start: medicines, habits and follow-up protect the result.
Valve replacement for patients once considered too frail
In transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR or TAVI), a new aortic valve is delivered through a blood vessel. Prof. Eberhard Grube, a pioneer of the self-expanding valve, joined this year’s meeting. Dr. Kumar described how the procedure carried a mortality of about 25% in its earliest days and how, after decades of refinement, that has fallen to under 1% in current practice.
This matters in India, where people are living longer and valve disease is becoming more common.
New tools for hard, calcified arteries
As we age, blockages can harden with calcium, which makes stenting difficult. Dr. Miroslaw Ferenc of Germany discussed the options now available:
- Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL): sound waves that crack calcium inside the artery.
- Cutting balloons: balloons that score hard plaque so it can be opened.
- Imaging from inside the artery: a thin catheter shows the calcium and guides the stent.
- Drug-coated balloons: useful in small vessels and in younger patients, where doctors may want to avoid leaving a permanent stent.
The most important question: which treatment is right for you?
A key message from Dr. Susheel Kodali of NYU was that doing a procedure well is not enough. It also has to be the right procedure. Patients should not simply get surgery because they saw a surgeon, or a stent because they saw a cardiologist. A heart team of specialists should decide together.
Why this matters for younger Indians
Speakers noted that heart disease tends to strike people in India at a younger age than in many Western countries, often in their 40s. That makes early prevention especially important.
After the procedure: protecting your heart
- Take blood thinners exactly as prescribed.
- Keep cholesterol under control. Newer treatments such as inclisiran lower LDL cholesterol substantially, and research into their long-term benefits continues.
- Ask your doctor about adult vaccines such as influenza and pneumococcal shots, particularly if your heart pumping is weak or you have had a heart attack.
- Attend every follow-up visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is every patient suitable for TAVI?
No. Suitability depends on your valve, your anatomy, your age and your overall health. A heart team assesses this with tests and scans.
Do I still need medicines after a stent or a new valve?
Usually yes. The procedure treats the problem area, while medicines and lifestyle help prevent new problems.
Have a question about your heart?
Dr. A. Sreenivas Kumar is a Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Director of Cardiology and Clinical Research at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. If you have symptoms or risk factors, book a consultation rather than waiting for them to get worse.
This article is for general education and is adapted from Dr. Kumar’s public talks at the ACVS India 2026 press meet. It does not replace medical advice for your own condition. Please do not start or stop any medicine without speaking to your doctor.
Sources: Deccan Chronicle; The Hans India