The patient was a chronic smoker, had been diagnosed with PAD nearly a year ago and was initially advised angioplasty with possible stenting, but it turned worse
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic
Doctors at a hospital in Kolkata have successfully performed their first-ever stem cell therapy for an advanced case of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) on a 62-year-old retired government employee from the 'City of Joy'.
The therapy was done under the expertise of Dr Jayanta Das, consultant - Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, and Dr Krishnendu Mukherjee, consultant – Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Manipal Hospital, Broadway.
The patient was a chronic smoker, had been diagnosed with PAD nearly a year ago and was initially advised angioplasty with possible stenting. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a condition in which the blood vessels in the legs become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow. This can cause leg pain, non-healing wounds, and in severe cases, infection or amputation. Smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol are common causes. However, due to delayed follow-up and disease progression, he later presented with severe critical limb ischemia (blocked blood flow to an arm or leg) and an active non-healing ulcer. Advanced angiography revealed that conventional surgical options were no longer feasible due to the absence visible arterial lumen (hollow inner space of an artery through which blood flows). With amputation the only option left, the team led by Dr. Jayanta Das proposed stem cell therapy, a treatment where special cells are used to help repair damaged tissues and improve blood flow, especially when other treatments are not possible.
The patient was admitted to the hospital on the same day the procedure was conducted and he was discharged on the following day. Within 24 hours, the patient experienced complete relief from pain through a remarkable early outcome. The healing response of the ulcer will be assessed over the next six weeks.
Speaking about the case, Dr Das said, “In advanced Peripheral Arterial Disease, when angioplasty or bypass surgery is no longer possible due to complete blockage of blood vessels, stem cell therapy offers a promising limb-saving option. In this case, the patient had no viable surgical alternative and was at high risk of amputation. The therapy resulted in significant relief from severe rest pain within 24 hours, highlighting the potential of regenerative medicine to improve blood flow and quality of life in patients with critical limb ischemia.”
Adding to this, Dr Mukherjee said, “Critical limb ischemia caused by severe arterial blockage leaves very limited treatment options, and in many cases, patients are pushed towards amputation. In this case, stem cell therapy was carefully planned and executed after thorough evaluation, as no conventional surgical or endovascular intervention was feasible. The early clinical response, particularly the rapid relief from rest pain, is encouraging and highlights the role of advanced regenerative procedures in managing complex vascular cases.”
Sharing his relief, the man shared, “When I was told that surgery was no longer possible and amputation might be needed, I felt helpless. Stem cell therapy gave me a new option and new hope. Within a day, my pain reduced significantly, and I am grateful to the team at Manipal Hospital Broadway for this treatment.”
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