- Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) PCI: For arteries that are 100% blocked, Dr. Rao uses a highly advanced, sutureless technique to restore blood flow. This procedure, called Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) for Chronic Total Occlusions (CTO), is a key area of his expertise and can often help patients avoid the need for open-heart bypass surgery. He is a pioneer in this field in India and founded the Indo-Japanese CTO (IJCTO) Club and CACTO(Complex Angioplasty and CTO) to train other specialists.
- Trans-Radial Interventions: Dr. Rao is an expert in performing cardiac procedures through the wrist’s radial artery. This approach is generally safer, more comfortable for the patient, and allows for a much faster recovery. He has successfully performed over 45,000 radial interventions.
- High-Risk PCI (CHIP): This service is for critically ill patients who are considered high-risk for standard procedures. Dr. Rao utilizes advanced support systems, like the Impella heart pump, to ensure patient safety while treating complex blockages.
- Left Main (LMCA) & Bifurcation PCI: Dr. Rao has special expertise in treating blockages in the most critical locations of the heart’s arteries, such as the left main artery and at points where arteries divide (bifurcations). He has performed rare, life-saving procedures, including a Left Main angioplasty on a 13-year-old.
- Image-Guided Coronary Interventions: To ensure the highest level of precision, Dr. Rao uses advanced imaging techniques inside the arteries during procedures. This allows for optimal treatment of blockages and better long-term outcomes.
- He has specialized in Ultra Contrast Angioplasty to CKD (chronic kidney disease) Patients
- Orbital Atherectomy: Dr. Rao was the first cardiologist to perform Orbital Atherectomy in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This technology uses a diamond-coated crown to sand away hard calcium deposits inside the artery, making it possible to then place a stent. It is a vital option for patients with severe calcium who may not be suitable for bypass surgery.
- Rotational Atherectomy: This procedure uses a tiny, diamond-tipped burr to safely drill through hardened plaque, clearing the artery to restore blood flow.
- Excimer Laser Coronary Angioplasty (ELCA): This technique uses a cool laser to vaporize plaque and dissolve blockages without damaging the surrounding artery wall.
- Transcatheter Valve Therapy (TAVR & TRIC Valve): Dr. Rao offers non-surgical solutions for failing heart valves. This includes Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). He also introduced the TRIC Valve system to the region, a life-saving option for heart failure patients with leaky tricuspid valves who are unsuitable for surgery.
- Mechanical Circulatory Support (LVAD): For patients with end-stage heart failure, Dr. Rao has experience implanting the Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) along with Heart Team. This mechanical heart pump helps the weakened heart circulate blood throughout the body and can be a bridge to transplant or a long-term therapy.
- General Structural Heart Interventions: His expertise covers a wide range of other minimally invasive procedures to repair structural defects within the heart.
- Outreach Medical Camps: For over three decades, Dr. Rao has been dedicated to serving underserved communities, particularly in the tribal and coal-belt regions of Bhadradri and Kothagudem. He regularly organizes free medical camps for preventive cardiology, early screening, and follow-up care for thousands of patients.
- Public Health Education: He is committed to raising public awareness about heart disease prevention, early detection, and modern treatment options that can help patients avoid bypass surgery.
- Affordable Healthcare Innovation: Dr. Rao has contributed to the development of indigenous, cost-effective medical devices like microcatheters and drug-coated balloons, helping to make advanced cardiac therapies more accessible to all.
