Pulmonology & Critical Care Mohali | 24/7 ICU | Dr. Rahul Katyal

Q: Can asthma be cured with biologics?

Biologics do not cure asthma in the traditional sense, but they can achieve what many patients experience as a cure: complete elimination of asthma attacks, elimination of oral steroid use, and in many cases, near-complete control without daily inhalers. Approximately 60–75% of severe asthma patients who are eligible for biologics experience complete or near-complete response.

Q: What does a pulmonologist treat that a general physician cannot?

A pulmonologist adds: advanced lung function testing, bronchoscopy, management of complex ILD and pulmonary fibrosis, prescription of biologic therapies, management of respiratory failure and ventilator protocols, and interpretation of complex CT chest findings.

Your Specialist

Meet Dr. Rahul Katyal

Dr. Rahul Katyal

MBBS, MD Pulmonary Medicine & Non-Invasive Cardiology

Director of Critical Care · Gini Advanced Care Hospital

✓ Postgraduate training in both Pulmonary Medicine and Non-Invasive Cardiology
✓ Specialist in asthma biologic therapies, COPD management, sleep medicine, and ventilator protocols
✓ Manages complex heart-lung overlap cases — uniquely qualified due to dual cardiology training
✓ Co-manages diabetes + respiratory overlap cases alongside Dr. Anil Bhansali

Dr. Rahul Katyal is Gini Hospital's lead pulmonologist and Director of Critical Care. He manages the full spectrum of respiratory conditions — from stable outpatient asthma and COPD to life-threatening respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. His special interests include asthma biologic therapies (now changing the outcome for severe asthma), COPD management, sleep medicine, and ventilator protocols. Uniquely, his cardiology training allows him to manage complex heart-lung overlap cases — a common challenge in critically ill patients. He works alongside Dr. Anil Bhansali on patients with diabetes and respiratory complications — a critical overlap given that untreated sleep apnea worsens insulin resistance and HbA1c.

View Full Profile →

Conditions We Treat

Pulmonology & Critical Care Conditions

Comprehensive respiratory care — from outpatient management of chronic lung disease to life-threatening ICU emergencies.

Lungs & Airways

✅ Asthma (mild to severe, all grades)

✅ COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

✅ Acute & Chronic Bronchitis

✅ Pneumonia (community-acquired & hospital-acquired)

✅ Tuberculosis (TB) & Post-TB complications

✅ Post-COVID Lung Complications

✅ Bronchiectasis

✅ Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

✅ Pleural Effusion (fluid around lungs)

✅ Pulmonary Fibrosis

✅ Lung Nodules & Cancer Surveillance

✅ Allergic Rhinitis & Respiratory Allergies

Critical Care & Emergency

✅ Respiratory Failure (acute & chronic)

✅ Mechanical Ventilation & Weaning

✅ Sepsis & Septic Shock

✅ Multi-Organ Failure

✅ Post-Surgical ICU Care

✅ DKA with Respiratory Complications

✅ Severe Pneumonia Requiring ICU

✅ ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)

✅ Pulmonary Embolism

✅ COVID-19 Critical Care

✅ Non-Invasive Ventilation (BiPAP/CPAP)

✅ Tracheostomy Care & Decannulation

Game-Changing Treatment

Asthma Can Now Be Controlled — or Eliminated — With Biologics

For patients with severe or uncontrolled asthma not responding to inhalers, advanced biologic therapies — monoclonal antibodies targeting IgE, IL-5, and IL-4/IL-13 pathways — now offer 60–75% reduction in asthma attacks, and in many cases complete elimination. These are monthly or bi-monthly injections, not daily medications.

Dr. Katyal assesses eligibility through blood tests (eosinophils, IgE, FeNO), identifies the right biologic for your specific asthma phenotype, and manages the treatment protocol. This level of severe asthma management is not available at most hospitals in the Chandigarh Tri-City area.

Omalizumab

Anti-IgE · Allergic asthma

Mepolizumab

Anti-IL-5 · Eosinophilic asthma

Benralizumab

Anti-IL-5Rα · Severe eosinophilic

Dupilumab

Anti-IL-4/IL-13 · Type 2 inflammation

60–75%

Reduction in asthma attacks with biologics

4

Biologic options available at Gini

Not available at most Tri-City hospitals

Exclusive severe asthma management

Sleep & Breathing

Sleep Apnea: The Hidden Saboteur of Your Health

Snoring may seem harmless. But untreated obstructive sleep apnea silently destroys your metabolic health — and can raise your HbA1c, blood pressure, and cardiovascular risk without you even knowing.

🛏️

Home Sleep Study Available

Convenient, accurate home polysomnography — no hospital admission needed. Results in 48 hours.

🌬️

CPAP Titration & Follow-up

Full CPAP/BiPAP therapy initiation, mask fitting, titration, and long-term follow-up for OSA and central sleep apnea.

🔗

Metabolic Connection

Untreated sleep apnea raises cortisol, worsens insulin resistance, and can increase HbA1c by 0.5–1.0 points. Treating OSA directly improves blood sugar control.

🤝

Integrated Care with Endocrinology

Dr. Katyal and Dr. Bhansali co-manage diabetes + sleep apnea cases. Treating both simultaneously produces significantly better metabolic outcomes.

The Diabetes–Sleep Apnea Connection

At Gini, all diabetes patients who report snoring, daytime sleepiness, or non-refreshing sleep are screened for OSA. Dr. Katyal and Dr. Bhansali co-manage these cases — treating both conditions simultaneously produces significantly better metabolic outcomes. If you have diabetes and snore, you need a sleep assessment.

Critical Care

30-Bed ICU — Engineered for Critical Outcomes

30

Bed ICU

Modular, full ventilator support

15

Min In-House Lab Results

Critical for ICU decisions

98%

DKA Survival Rate

National average: 85%

24/7

Intensivist Cover

No gaps, no delays

🏥 Modular ICU Design

30-bed modular ICU with full ventilator support (invasive and non-invasive). Direct connection to the emergency department for zero-delay admission.

👨‍⚕️ 24/7 Intensivist Cover

Dr. Rahul Katyal + Dr. Atul Mahajan + Dr. Jatin Garg — round-the-clock specialist intensivist coverage. No junior-doctor-only nights.

⚡ In-House Lab: 15-Minute Results

ABG, electrolytes, blood cultures, CBC — results in 15 minutes. ICU decisions cannot wait for external labs. This is why outcomes are better.

📉 Shorter Average ICU Stay

Average ICU stay: 2–4 days vs. 5–7 days nationally. Evidence of better protocols and faster stabilisation — not shorter care.

DKA Survival Rate Comparison

98%

Gini Hospital

vs.

85%

National Average

Transparent Pricing

Pulmonology & Critical Care Costs

Clear, upfront pricing. Insurance coverage available for ICU and biologic therapies in most major policies.

Service	Cost
OPD Consultation (Dr. Rahul Katyal)	From ₹800
Pulmonary Function Test (PFT / Spirometry)	₹1,200
Home Sleep Study (polysomnography)	₹4,500
ICU per day (all-inclusive)	₹15,000–₹25,000
Biologic therapy (Omalizumab, Mepolizumab, etc.)	Varies — insurance often covers

Insurance Coverage

✅ Insurance coverage available for ICU and biologic therapies in most major policies

✅ Our team assists with all insurance documentation and pre-authorisation

✅ Cashless facility available — 32+ insurance partners

✅ Call us to verify your specific plan: 0172 4120100

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about pulmonology and critical care at Gini Hospital.

Can asthma be cured with biologics? +

Biologics do not "cure" asthma in the traditional sense, but they can achieve what many patients experience as a cure: complete elimination of asthma attacks, elimination of oral steroid use, and in many cases, near-complete control without daily inhalers. The effects persist for months to years. Approximately 60–75% of severe asthma patients who are eligible for biologics experience complete or near-complete response. Dr. Katyal assesses eligibility through blood eosinophil count, IgE level, and FeNO testing — these biomarkers predict response with high accuracy.

What is the difference between COPD and asthma? +

Asthma is usually an allergic/inflammatory condition that begins in childhood or young adulthood, causes reversible airway obstruction, and typically worsens with allergens, exercise, or weather changes. COPD is primarily caused by smoking (or occupational exposure), develops progressively after age 40, and causes largely irreversible airway obstruction. Both cause breathlessness and wheezing but require different treatments. Some patients have features of both — called ACO (Asthma-COPD Overlap) — requiring combined management. A spirometry (PFT) and detailed history will distinguish them.

When should I go to the ICU for breathing problems? +

Go to emergency immediately if: you cannot complete a full sentence without stopping to breathe, your lips or fingertips are turning blue, your breathing rate is above 30/minute at rest, you are using your neck or shoulder muscles to breathe, your oxygen saturation (SpO2) is below 90%, or your symptoms are worsening rapidly despite using your inhaler. For COPD patients: any significant increase in breathlessness beyond your usual baseline warrants an urgent call to your doctor or emergency attendance. Call +91 82888 43800 immediately.

Is sleep apnea connected to diabetes? +

Yes — the connection is well established. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea causes repeated oxygen desaturation during sleep, which triggers cortisol and adrenaline spikes, worsens insulin resistance, and can increase HbA1c by 0.5–1.0 percentage points. It also raises blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. At Gini, all diabetes patients who report snoring, daytime sleepiness, or non-refreshing sleep are screened for OSA. Dr. Katyal and Dr. Bhansali co-manage these cases — treating both conditions simultaneously produces significantly better metabolic outcomes.

What does a pulmonologist treat that a general physician cannot? +

A general physician can manage mild-to-moderate stable asthma and COPD. A pulmonologist adds: advanced lung function testing (spirometry, diffusion capacity, bronchoprovocation testing), bronchoscopy, management of complex ILD and pulmonary fibrosis, prescription of biologic therapies (most GPs cannot prescribe or monitor these), management of respiratory failure and ventilator protocols, and interpretation of complex CT chest findings. For any lung condition beyond simple well-controlled asthma, a pulmonology consultation adds significant diagnostic and therapeutic value.

How quickly can I get an ICU bed at Gini if I need one? +

Our 30-bed ICU is directly connected to the emergency department. For patients arriving in emergency, ICU transfer (if indicated) happens within 30–60 minutes of assessment. For planned post-surgical admissions, ICU beds are pre-allocated. We maintain a 24/7 on-call intensivist who makes ICU admission decisions. Call 0172 4120100 or use our emergency number +91 82888 43800 for urgent situations.