A three-day cardiac conclave hosted by Meril Life Sciences in Vapi.

Cardiac care has undergone a profound transformation over the last five decades. From the first balloon angioplasty performed in 1977 to today’s image-guided, precision-driven interventions, the journey of heart care mirrors the evolution of medicine itself—moving steadily towards safer, more personalized treatment for patients. In India, this evolution has been especially significant, as the country grapples with one of the world’s highest burdens of cardiovascular disease while simultaneously emerging as a global hub for medical technology innovation.

This transformation formed the core narrative of PRISM-PCI Conclave 2026, hosted by Meril Life Sciences at its academy  in Vapi from January 16 to 18. The event brought together nearly 300 interventional cardiologists from India and across the world to reflect on how angioplasty—once a relatively straightforward procedure—has become increasingly complex, and how innovation is redefining outcomes for patients.

PRISM stands for Precision Revascularization using Innovation-Guided Strategy for management of Complex PCI. The concept reflects a new reality in cardiac care: today’s patients often present with multi-vessel disease, heavy calcification, heart failure, or require intervention at a much younger age than in the past. Managing such complexity demands more than skill alone—it requires precise imaging, physiological assessment, advanced devices, and well-planned hybrid strategies.

 Dr Ashwin B Mehta,Director- Cardiology Department, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, observed that, “Earlier heart disease used to affect people later in life. Now we’re seeing advanced coronary disease in patients in their thirties and forties. Cardiovascular disease is no longer a condition of old age alone, raising serious concerns about prevention and early detection. We can stent younger arteries, but we can’t stent our way out of a prevention crisis. While interventional advancements save lives, they cannot replace the need for awareness, lifestyle modification, and timely diagnosis. PRISM-PCI reinforced that the future of heart care must extend beyond advanced procedures to include strong preventive strategies. Sustainable impact will depend on identifying disease earlier and reducing risk before intervention becomes necessary.”

Dr G.P. Ratnaparkhi– Director of Cathlab and Head of cardiology at Criticare Asia Multispeciality hospital, Mumbai, emphasised, “PRISM-PCI wasn’t just a conference—it was a declaration that the era of uncertainty in the cath lab is over. Precision, planning, and proof now define how we save lives. The collective commitment to advancing heart care through thoughtful innovation, collaboration, and clinical rigor—ensuring that progress remains focused on what matters most: better outcomes for patients. This represents where global heart care is headed, and India is helping lead that direction,” he said.

A major theme across sessions was India’s growing role in global cardiac innovation. Over the last decade, home-grown technologies—from advanced coronary stents and imaging-guided solutions to transcatheter heart valves—have significantly enhanced access to modern cardiac care, both within the country and internationally. This shift has reduced dependence on imports and empowered Indian clinicians with tools comparable to the best in the world.

Beyond technology and technique, PRISM also addressed prevention—a crucial concern as cardiovascular disease increasingly affects younger populations. Experts emphasized that while advanced interventions save lives, long-term impact will depend on early detection, lifestyle modification, and public awareness.

As the conclave concluded, PRISM stood as more than a scientific meeting. It reflected a larger shift in global healthcare—where India is not only treating one of the world’s largest cardiac patient populations, but also helping define the future of heart care through innovation, research, and precision-driven solutions.

About Meril:

Meril is a global medical device company based in India, committed to advancing healthcare through innovation. With a strong focus on research and development, Meril delivers cutting-edge medtech solutions across more than 150 countries and has a robust presence through subsidiaries in the USA, Brazil, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Through partnerships, precision technology, and adherence to international quality standards, Meril is helping reshape the future of healthcare.

Contact – media@merillife.com 

Atul Tiwari

Atul Tiwari is a seasoned journalist at Mumbai Times, specializing in city news, culture, and human-interest stories. With a knack for uncovering compelling narratives, Atul brings Mumbai’s vibrant spirit to life through his writing.