Angioplasty vs heart bypass surgery in Mohali: Which is right for you?

Choosing between angioplasty (percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can feel overwhelming. This guide from Livasa Hospitals Mohali explains both procedures in clear, patient-friendly language, compares benefits and risks, reviews recovery and costs in Punjab, and helps you decide when a second opinion or specialist referral is warranted. If you need an expert cardiology consultation or a second opinion in Mohali, contact Livasa Mohali at +91 80788 80788 or book an appointment online.

Introduction

Coronary artery disease (CAD) — narrowing or blockage of the heart’s blood vessels — is a leading cause of death worldwide and in India. Two main revascularisation options to restore blood flow are angioplasty with stent (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Both aim to relieve symptoms like chest pain and breathlessness, reduce heart muscle damage in emergencies, and improve survival in specific situations. Understanding which option is better for a given patient depends on the number and location of blockages, presence of diabetes, heart function, age, coexisting medical conditions, and patient preferences.

This article focuses on practical, localised information for patients in Mohali and Punjab who are weighing "angioplasty vs bypass Mohali" or searching for "which is better bypass or stent" and "heart surgery opinion Mohali." We explain causes and symptoms that lead to these procedures, detail how each is performed (including advanced options at Livasa Mohali such as minimally invasive cardiac surgery and state-of-the-art cath lab services like OCT and IVUS), compare risks and recovery, and provide transparent cost comparisons for Punjab and Mohali. We also cover when to seek a second opinion in cardiology and how to choose the right specialist or cardiac surgeon in Mohali.

Understanding coronary artery disease and why treatment is needed

Coronary artery disease (CAD) develops when fatty plaques (atherosclerosis) build up inside coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle. Over time, these plaques narrow the vessel lumen, reducing blood and oxygen delivery. Severe narrowing or plaque rupture can cause unstable chest pain (unstable angina) or a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Typical symptoms prompting evaluation include:

• Chest discomfort or pressure (angina) often triggered by exertion or stress
• Shortness of breath with exertion
• Weakness, lightheadedness, sweating, or nausea
• Symptoms at rest suggesting unstable angina — an emergency

Causes and risk factors for CAD include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, family history, and advancing age. In India, and particularly in Punjab, the prevalence of CAD is rising because of lifestyle changes and a high rate of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Global statistics estimate CAD causes around 17.9 million deaths annually. In India, cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 28% of total deaths in adults, with northern states like Punjab seeing a high burden due to dietary and lifestyle patterns.

When medical therapy (lifestyle changes, antiplatelet drugs, statins, blood pressure and diabetes control) is insufficient to control symptoms or when blockages threaten heart function, revascularisation through PCI (angioplasty with stent) or CABG (bypass surgery) may be recommended. Choosing the appropriate strategy balances short-term risks, long-term outcomes, and individual patient factors such as the presence of diabetes, extent of disease (single, double, or multivessel), and left main coronary artery involvement.

What is angioplasty (PCI) and when is it recommended?

Angioplasty, or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a minimally invasive procedure performed in a cardiac catheterisation laboratory (cath lab) to widen narrowed coronary arteries and restore blood flow. A small wire is passed through an artery (usually in the wrist or groin) to the blocked coronary vessel. A balloon is inflated at the site of narrowing to compress plaque and increase vessel diameter. In most cases, a stent (a small metal mesh tube) is inserted to scaffold the artery open.

PCI is commonly recommended for:

• Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) — emergency angioplasty is the preferred treatment when available.
• Single-vessel disease with disabling angina despite optimal medical therapy.
• Selected multivessel disease depending on anatomy and comorbidities, particularly when lesions are amenable to stenting.

Advanced techniques available at modern centres like Livasa Hospitals Mohali include Rotablation (ROTA) for heavily calcified lesions, OCT (optical coherence tomography) and IVUS (intravascular ultrasound) for precise imaging and optimal stent placement, and Impella device support for high-risk PCI cases. Emergency angioplasty is lifesaving when performed promptly for heart attacks, and prompt door-to-balloon times are a key quality metric.

Common risks of PCI include bleeding at the access site, contrast-induced kidney injury, stent thrombosis (rare with proper antiplatelet therapy), restenosis (less common with drug-eluting stents), and in rare cases, emergency conversion to surgery. Stent lifespan varies: modern drug-eluting stents greatly reduce restenosis risk and often remain patent for many years; however, lifelong secondary prevention (statins, antiplatelets, lifestyle changes) is essential.

What is coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and when is it recommended?

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), commonly called heart bypass surgery, is a surgical procedure that creates new pathways to bypass blocked coronary arteries using grafts taken from the patient’s own veins or arteries (often the internal mammary artery or saphenous vein). Traditional CABG involves a median sternotomy (opening the chest) but advanced centres, including Livasa Mohali, also offer minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) techniques which use smaller incisions for selected patients.

CABG is typically recommended for:

• Left main coronary artery disease (significant narrowing of the main artery supplying a large portion of the heart).
• Complex multivessel disease, especially in patients with diabetes where CABG has shown better long-term outcomes.
• Poor left ventricular function where complete revascularisation by surgery is preferred.
• When PCI is not feasible due to anatomy, heavy calcification, chronic total occlusions not amenable to stenting, or failed PCI attempts.

CABG provides durable long-term relief and superior survival benefits in specific subgroups such as diabetics with multivessel disease and patients with significant left main disease. Risks include wound infection, stroke (rare), bleeding, kidney dysfunction, and longer hospital stays and recovery compared to PCI. Advances such as off-pump CABG, minimally invasive CABG, and hybrid procedures (combining PCI and limited bypass) have expanded options and reduced invasiveness for selected patients.

How doctors decide: factors that determine angioplasty vs bypass

Choosing between PCI and CABG is a collaborative process involving cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and the patient. The heart team approach evaluates anatomical, clinical, and patient-related factors. Core decision points include:

• Anatomy of blockages: Number, location, and complexity (SYNTAX score) of lesions. High SYNTAX scores often favour CABG.
• Presence of diabetes: Diabetic patients with multivessel disease often have better long-term outcomes with CABG.
• Left main disease: Significant left main stenosis commonly warrants CABG, though selected patients may receive PCI with careful evaluation.
• Left ventricular function: Severely reduced ejection fraction may prompt CABG for more complete revascularisation.
• Urgency: In acute heart attacks, emergent PCI is the priority. For elective complex disease, careful planning between PCI and CABG is needed.
• Patient preference and fitness for surgery: Frailty, comorbidities, or patient preference for less invasive options can influence the choice.

In Mohali and across Punjab, many patients seek a heart surgery opinion Mohali or a second opinion cardiology Mohali to ensure the recommended strategy fits their clinical profile and life circumstances. Livasa Mohali provides a multidisciplinary heart team with experienced interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons who use tools such as IVUS and OCT to plan optimal treatment and can offer both high-risk PCI (with Impella support if needed) and minimally invasive CABG when appropriate.

Head-to-head comparison: outcomes, recovery, and risks

Comparing PCI and CABG requires looking at short-term and long-term outcomes. Short-term, PCI has lower immediate morbidity, shorter hospital stays, and faster return to routine activities. Long-term, CABG may provide better durability and reduced need for repeat revascularisation in certain populations (e.g., diabetics and complex multivessel disease). Below are clear side-by-side comparisons.

Statistically, large trials and meta-analyses (e.g., SYNTAX, FREEDOM) have shown:

• For complex multivessel disease or left main disease, CABG often results in fewer repeat procedures and sometimes improved survival compared to PCI.
• For single-vessel disease or focal lesions, PCI and CABG have similar survival outcomes with PCI offering a quicker recovery.
• In diabetics with multivessel disease, the FREEDOM trial demonstrated a survival advantage with CABG over PCI.

Risk profiles differ: PCI risks center around access-site complications, restenosis (rare with modern drug-eluting stents), and stent thrombosis if antiplatelet therapy is interrupted. CABG risks include surgical complications, longer recovery, and potential neurocognitive or wound-related issues, but offers more definitive revascularisation in many complex cases.

Cost comparison in Mohali and Punjab: what to expect

Cost is a major consideration for many patients in Punjab and Mohali. Prices can vary widely based on hospital strategy, implant (type and number of stents), surgeon fees, ICU stay, and complications. Below are approximate ranges typical for tertiary centres in Punjab including Mohali as of 2026. These figures are estimates and can change—always verify with your hospital billing team and insurance provider.

Many hospitals in Mohali, including Livasa Hospitals Mohali, work with major insurers and offer financial counselling to explore cashless insurance authorisation, instalment plans, and government schemes. When comparing the cost of angioplasty vs bypass Mohali or CABG cost Mohali, consider not just the initial procedure price but also long-term needs such as repeat procedures (more likely after PCI in complex disease), medications (antiplatelets after PCI and CABG), and cardiac rehabilitation.

Recovery, rehabilitation and lifestyle after revascularisation

Recovery expectations differ widely between angioplasty and bypass. After PCI, most patients are discharged within 24–72 hours and can resume light activities in a few days, returning to more strenuous activities typically within 1–2 weeks, depending on occupation and overall health. After CABG, hospital stays of 7–10 days are common; full recovery can take 6–12 weeks, though minimally invasive CABG may shorten this.

Key components of post-procedural care include:

• Medications: Antiplatelet therapy (dual antiplatelet therapy for PCI), statins, blood pressure and diabetes control medications.
• Cardiac rehabilitation: Supervised exercise, education, and risk factor modification dramatically improve outcomes and reduce recurrence.
• Wound and access-site care: Keep surgical and access-site areas clean; report fever, increasing pain, or discharge.
• Follow-up imaging and tests: Scheduled cardiology follow-ups with ECG, echocardiography, and possibly noninvasive stress testing as indicated.

In Mohali, access to structured cardiac rehabilitation varies; Livasa Hospitals Mohali supports a comprehensive heart program including physiotherapy, lifestyle counselling, and follow-up clinics to optimise recovery. Patients should adopt heart-healthy habits permanently: smoking cessation, Mediterranean-style diet, controlled salt intake, weight management, regular physical activity, and strict control of diabetes and cholesterol. Lifestyle change plus medical therapy prevents disease progression whether the patient underwent PCI or CABG.

How to choose what's right for you: practical steps and questions to ask

Choosing between "stent vs bypass Mohali" or deciding "which is better angioplasty or bypass Punjab" should be an informed shared decision. Here are practical steps patients and family members can take:

1. Ask for a clear explanation of your coronary anatomy: request angiogram images and an explanation of the SYNTAX score if available.
2. Discuss short-term and long-term outcomes for your specific condition: "What are my risks of repeat procedures if I choose PCI?"
3. If you have diabetes or multivessel disease, ask how evidence (e.g., FREEDOM trial) applies to you and whether CABG is likely to provide better long-term benefit.
4. Ask about the hospital’s experience and outcomes: "How many PCI and CABG procedures does the centre perform annually? What are your complication rates?"
5. Seek a second opinion cardiology Mohali or heart surgery opinion Mohali if you feel uncertain; Livasa Mohali offers multidisciplinary reviews and second-opinion services.

Questions to ask your care team:

• Why is this treatment (PCI or CABG) recommended for me?
• What are the expected benefits and risks specific to my health profile?
• What will recovery look like and what support will I need at home?
• How will this affect my medications long term (e.g., antiplatelets) and lifestyle?
• Can I get a second opinion from your cardiac surgical team or another centre in Mohali?

The heart team model at Livasa Hospitals Mohali—where interventional cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anaesthesiologists and rehabilitation specialists jointly review cases—helps patients make balanced decisions. If you search for "best cardiologist Punjab", "top cardiologist Mohali", or "cardiac surgeon for bypass Mohali", inquire about multidisciplinary care and outcomes rather than only individual credentials.

When to seek emergency care or a second opinion in Mohali

Immediate medical attention is vital for symptoms suggesting a heart attack. Call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department if you experience:

• Severe chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
• Chest pain with sweating, nausea, fainting, or shortness of breath
• Sudden collapse or loss of consciousness

For non-emergent decisions—such as choosing between elective PCI and CABG or planning complex revascularisation—consider a second opinion cardiology Mohali. A second opinion can confirm optimal strategy, clarify risks, and reduce decisional uncertainty. Livasa Mohali provides second-opinion services, heart-team discussions, and outpatient consultations to help families evaluate options. When requesting a second opinion bring previous test results, angiogram images (DICOM/CD), and medication lists to streamline the review.

Conclusion and next steps: how Livasa Hospitals Mohali can help

The choice between angioplasty and bypass surgery is highly individual. For many patients with single-vessel or focal lesions, PCI offers rapid symptom relief and short recovery. For patients with complex multivessel disease, left main disease, or diabetes, CABG often provides more durable results with fewer repeat procedures. A heart-team discussion, careful review of angiograms, and consideration of patient preferences and comorbidities are essential.

For questions or to speak with our cardiology team about costs, financing, or a second opinion, call +91 80788 80788 or visit https://www.livasahospitals.com/appointment. Your heart health deserves careful evaluation; the right procedure for you depends on your individual anatomy, health, and goals—let us help you make an informed decision.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not replace personalised medical advice. Consult a cardiologist or cardiac surgeon at Livasa Hospitals Mohali for diagnosis and tailored treatment. Cost estimates are indicative and may vary.