J.J. Hospital closes nine-month-old girl's heart defect with catheter, avoiding major surgery

A nine-month-old girl weighing just five kg, who suffered repeated respiratory infections, has been treated for a congenital heart defect at Sir J.J. Hospital without major surgery. With every illness, her parents' worry had grown. She was not gaining weight and her heart was under strain. Tests showed she had a congenital heart defect.

The treatment was carried out through a catheter by a department of Grant Government Medical College and Sir J.J. Hospital. The patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was closed with the help of a special device. After the successful procedure, the parents breathed a sigh of relief. It is hoped that, free of her repeated illnesses, the child will now have a fresh start to a healthy childhood.

The hospital's information also explains what a PDA is. The condition arises when the blood vessel connecting the aorta and the pulmonary artery, which is expected to close after birth, stays open. In this girl, the PDA was large. This sent excess blood flow to the lungs. The resulting extra strain on the heart led to breathing complaints and repeated infections.

The procedure was performed by Dr Hariom Kolpakar and his team. The departments of cardiothoracic surgery, anaesthesiology and paediatrics also played a part in the treatment. Various departments coordinated with one another under the leadership of Dean Dr Ajay Bhandarwar and Medical Superintendent Dr Sanjay Surase to complete the treatment.

Dr Anant Munde, head of the cardiology department at J.J. Hospital, said the child's age, weight and heart condition all made the treatment challenging. However, timely diagnosis and proper treatment made it possible to avoid major surgery. He also said that with the heart defect closed, conditions are now positive for her growth and future health.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, eligible patients can get a range of advanced cardiac treatments free of cost at the J.J. Hospital cardiology department. These include angioplasty and stenting, catheter treatment on arteries including those of the arms and legs, and balloon procedures on the mitral, aortic, pulmonary and tricuspid valves. Treatment for congenital heart defects such as ASD, VSD and PDA is also available, as are pacemakers, AICD, CRT and conduction system pacing.

The department also offers transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography, stress echo, screening for congenital heart defects and echo examination of the heart of an unborn baby.