Healthcare sector has evolved dramatically today, owing to the unpre-cedented changes brought about by the technological advancements, demographic shifts, and evolving patient needs. However, India still needs to strengthen its primary care, pressed by the challenges posed by non-communicable diseases (NCDs) or chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Drawing larger attention, CVDs have remained the leading cause of mortality for over three decades now, accounting for approximately one-third of all global deaths, with 20.5 million deaths recorded in 2021, and this chronic disease is still a cause of concern, impacting the rich, affluent, and poor. While the major factors afflicting the rates of CVDs amongst the demography remain to be the sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits, and more, India is significantly taking this into account.

The country has been experiencing significant advancements across cardiac care today, embracing technologies like minimally invasive surgeries, stents, and AI-driven diagnostics. While this is led by a greater shift towards prevention, personalized treatment, and continuous heart monitoring, making high-quality cardiac interventions more accessible, the increasing incidences of heart diseases are posing absolute demand for skilled cardiologists, and it is at an all-time high today.

Well, here, acknowledging many other cardiologists, one whom we are prominently celebrating is Dr Lakkireddy Kiran Kumar Reddy, a renowned Interventional Cardiologist, Co-Founder & Director of Cardiac Cath Lab at Onus Heart Institute. He has done his MBBS and MD Internal Medicine from Kurnool Medical College, and then pursued DM in Cardiology from Jipmer Institute, Pondicherry, one of the premier institutes in South India. He ranked second almost across India there. Moreover, he extensively got trained in all aspects of cardiology, including preventive and advanced cardiac interventions.

Later, he worked in AIG, Apollo Hospitals, and NRI Medical College, Vizag. He also developed the total cardiology department and CTVS (Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery) department there and achieved 100 percent success results. Recently, he co-founded Onus Heart Institute at Onus Robotic Hospital, Champapet, L.B. Nagar in Hyderabad. He is an expert in all types of cardiac interventions. He has also represented complex works at multiple national and international conferences.

Dr Lakkireddy Kiran Kumar Reddy developed a strong interest in the Cardiology department during his MD in Internal Medicine. He was particularly fascinated by the immediate and effective results achieved through various interventional procedures, especially those that can save lives in life-threatening cardiac situations. Dr Reddy specializes in all types of cardiac interventions, with a focus on complex coronary interventions. He also concentrates on structural heart interventions, particularly Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), which is an advanced treatment technology. Additionally, he performs mitral valve repairs, which help reduce the need for open-heart surgery.

Thanks to advancements in interventional cardiology, the need for open-heart surgery can often be minimized, allowing for better outcomes through transcatheter interventions. His expertise extends to procedures such as pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placements in cases of very low or very high heart rates, as well as heart hole device closures. Moreover, Dr Reddy is skilled in treating blood vessels throughout the body, particularly supplying blood to the heart, brain and legs. He can address issues with any blood vessel using stents, thus avoiding the need for open surgeries or repairs. This underscores the advantage of interventional cardiology procedures, which are performed quickly and offer excellent results with faster recovery times.

Dr Lakkireddy Kiran Kumar Reddy leads a critical care team at the hospital, including interventional cardiologists, CT surgeons and specialized cardiac anesthesia professionals. He approaches interventions holistically, collaborating with his heart team to determine the best option for each patient, whether it’s a non-invasive procedure or open-heart surgery. By adhering to evidence-based guide lines, they tailor treatments to ensure the best outcomes for their patients Interventional cardiology faces significant challenges when managing patients with multiple comorbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney diseases, as these conditions can impact procedures.

It’s crucial to address all health aspects before and after interven-tions, especially in critical situations like life-threatening heart attacks or low blood pressure. Dr Lakkireddy

Kiran Kumar Reddy says, “We operate as a multidisciplinary team of skilled specialists to create tailored care plans for each patient. Patient education is also a key challenge, as many hold misconceptions about their conditions and treatment options. We address this by clearly explaining procedures, risks, and benefits in approachable terms to foster trust and under-standing. Furthermore, we help patients cope with the emotional aspects of cardiovascular diseases, which are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. By communicating effectively and compassionately, we can tackle these challenges and provide high-quality care for the best patient outcomes”.

While managing patients with complex cardiology issues, Dr Lakkireddy Kiran Kumar Reddy conducts thorough evaluations of their medical histories and utilizes various diagnostic tools, including echocar-diograms, ECGs, and treadmill tests. Advanced imaging techniques like cardiac MRI, cardiac CT, and nuclear scans help to determine whether an intervention is necessary or if medical management suffices. He also ensures to integrate advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence enabled quantitative flow ratio (QFR), to analyze angiograms and assess the need for stenting. According to him, techniques like intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) can enhance long-term outcomes for patients undergoing coronary stenting. Notably, the experienced nursing and critical care teams there provide vital support in post-procedural recovery. Through collaboration and clear communication, he maintains a patient-centric approach, aiming to deliver the highest standard of care and improve patient outcomes.

Dr.Lakkireddy Kiran Kumar Reddy’s professional approach focuses on collaboration with other departments, continuous learning, and fostering innovation

The Unique Approach to Mitigating Complications

Cardiac health is crucial to our overall well-being, and surgical procedures, even minor ones, necessitate strong cardiac fitness. When it comes to cardiac surgeries, patients are always at a higher risk, which calls for a proactive and systematic approach. Hence, Dr Lakkireddy Kiran Kumar Reddy prioritizes thorough pre-procedure planning, reviewing medical histories, conducting physical examinations, and performing necessary diagnostic tests. He is backed by his efficient team, carefully evaluates each patient and provides thorough education on the risks, benefits, and potential complications of the procedure, which helps to alleviate their anxiety. During the procedure, he has a skilled team of around eight members, including a cardiac anesthetist and several supporting staff, and advance necessary equipment dedicated to managing any complications that may arise. This team is also trained to identify early complications and address them promptly.


He adds, “Our catheterization lab is equipped with essential tools, such as defibrillators, intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP), blood pressure support machines, ACT blood clotting testing devices, and advanced imaging systems like IVUS and OCT. With this comprehensive preparation, we are ready to tackle any complications that may occur, which contribute to our impressive 100 percent success rate. Post-procedure, we ensure careful monitoring with a highly trained critical care team specialized in cardiac issues, alongside expert nursing care. We have also implemented telemonitoring systems to facilitate ongoing patient management, using platforms like WhatsApp for effective communication”.

He emphasizes that collaboration with other medical specialties is key. In the past decade, interventional cardiology has seen significant advancements. Consequently, at Onus Heart Institute, Dr Lakkireddy Kiran Kumar Reddy has introduced Heart AI, which integrates advanced imaging and artificial intelligence into the practice to enhance patient care. His team stays updated on the latest technologies, including 3D echocardiograms and automated software for cardiac MRI and CT scans that allow for precise diagnoses. Innovations in coronary stenting, including the latest generation of stents, have minimized the need for open-heart surgery, enabling treatment of multi-vessel coronary disease with up to six stents in a single procedure. Techniques such as image-guided stenting have shown a 36 percent improvement in outcomes. Advances like transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and the MitraClip system for mitral regurgitation have revolutionized treatment options. These minimally invasive procedures are improving patient outcomes, enhancing safety, and facilitating earlier mobilization after heart interventions.

The Leadership Trait

Dr Lakkireddy Kiran Kumar Reddy’s professional approach focuses on collaboration with other departments, continuous learning, and fostering innovation. He prioritizes open communication with his team and encourages contributions to their practices. He also holds regular meetings to discuss advancements in their respective fields, which enhances patient care. To stay current, he even engages in continuous education through conferences, CMEs, webinars, and workshops, and he regularly reviews cardiology journals for the latest updates. He also mentors junior cardiologists and young professionals, guiding them through complex scenarios and promoting daily learning. This commitment to collaboration, education, and mentorship helps maintain high standards in his practice and improves patient outcomes.

Plans toward Committed Care

In the cardiology care field, while Dr Lakkireddy Kiran Kumar Reddy emphasizes high quality of care should be delivered to the patients, he states, “Everybody should work with dedication and focus on patient-centric care. Also, be committed to lifelong learning to deliver quality outcomes”.

Formidably, Dr Lakkireddy Kiran Kumar Reddy has gained good years of experience as a Cardiologist now. Having made significant strides in providing excellent care, he now envisions providing excellent care using advanced technology, particularly his Heart AI concept, which integrates cutting-edge imaging and artificial intelligence. He aspires to make these advancements accessible to everyone, regardless of financial status. Furthermore, as he is actively engaged with patients through education on social media, raising awareness about heart health and available treatments, he will also remain focused on research to improve care based on data evaluation.