Narayana Health – SRCC Children’s Hospital saves life of 3-day old Jalgaon boy by using novel hybrid approach for cardiac surgery

 Narayana Health – SRCC Children’s Hospital saves life of 3-day old Jalgaon boy by using novel hybrid approach for cardiac surgery

The baby boy was suspected with heart disease due to the persistent bluish discoloration, and echocardiogram was done to confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary atresia, VSD

 

Mumbai, September 30^th 2020: A three day old new born, Baby of Snehal Pawar, was admitted at a hospital in Jalgaon with lethargy, poor feeding and bluish discoloration. After initial stabilization, the doctors suspected heart disease which was confirmed after conducting echocardiogram. The patient was immediately referred and transferred to SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mumbai, for emergency cardiac treatment.

 

At arrival to SRCC Children’s Hospital, the baby was evaluated by Senior Consultant Pediatric Cardiologist, Dr Supratim Sen, and the parents were counselled regarding the need for an urgent pediatric intervention- PDA stenting.

 

“Pulmonary atresia, VSD is a critical cyanotic heart defect which needs treatment in the first few days of life.  In this disease, the normal connection between the heart and the lung arteries is not formed. At birth, the lung arteries are supplied by a small vessel known as a PDA, which normally closes off by itself in the first week of life.  In patients with pulmonary atresia, emergency surgery or intervention is required before the PDA closes, to save the baby,” said Dr Sen. 

 

The baby was ventilated, stabilized in the ICU and then taken for PDA stenting to the cardiac catheterization laboratory after a few hours.

 

The PDA stenting was done by a special hybrid approach, wherein vascular access in the neck was given by Senior Consultant Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon, Dr Pradeep Kaushik, and then Dr Sen and his colleague, Dr Priya Pradhan, proceeded with stenting of the PDA.  The procedure lasted for 1 hour, and the baby’s oxygen levels improved from 50% to 85% as soon as the stent was placed.  The baby was treated in the Pediatric Cardiac ICU for the next 4 days and was discharged on the 7^th day, post all the procedure was done and the baby’s health was stable.

 

“PDA stenting is one of the most challenging and high-risk neonatal cardiac interventions,” according to Dr Sen. “This novel hybrid approach has now been standardized by our pediatric cardiac team, and this has made the procedure much safer and quicker.  We have successfully used this Hybrid approach in four patients so far, with excellent results in all the patients.”

 

“Pulmonary atresia, VSD is a complex cyanotic heart defect.  These patients are relieved with the PDA stenting in the newborn period, and then return after 6 months to 1 year for corrective surgery.  Although these patients are critical at admission, with timely treatment, they have very good long-term outcomes,” said Dr Pradeep Kaushik.

 

A multidisciplinary team of doctors treat these critical cardiac babies at SRCC Children’s Hospital during their hospital stay, including pediatric cardiac anesthetists, Dr Vaibhav Dhabe and Dr Lopamudra Majhi, and pediatric cardiac intensivist, Dr Vinay Joshi.

 

The baby is now back with his mother and doing well.  Collaboration and teamwork between the referring doctors and the team of doctors at Mumbai helped save this baby’s life.