Mumbai: A multidisciplinary team at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, led by Cardiovascular Surgeon Dr. Pavan Kumar, along with Cardiologist Dr. Nitin Gokhale and Cardiac Anaesthesiologist Dr. Namrata Kothari, has successfully treated a 34-year-old woman from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, for a rare and life-threatening condition called Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm (SOVA).
The procedure involved repairing multiple congenital aneurysms and has provided the patient, Ms. Seema Ravikanth Patil, a new lease on life.
“This patient came in with a serious heart condition. Her tests showed she had two large aneurysms and a leaking aortic valve,” said Dr. Pavan Kumar. “After talking to her, we learned she had been experiencing migraines for the past 10 years, which turned out to be caused by her leaking aortic valve, not migraines.”
Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm is an extremely rare condition, with aneurysms occurring in only 0.09% of the general population. The presence of multiple aneurysms, as in Ms. Patil’s case, is even rarer, with only 18 cases reported worldwide. Her condition posed serious risks, including the potential for rupture, which could have been fatal without immediate intervention.
Advanced imaging revealed two aneurysms—one in the Left Coronary Sinus of Valsalva measuring 4.5 x 3.5 x 3 cm, pressing against the left coronary artery, and the other in the Right Coronary Sinus of Valsalva measuring 3.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm. In addition, Ms. Patil had severe aortic valve regurgitation, which necessitated urgent surgery.
Dr. Kumar explained, “The patient had three complex heart surgeries at once, which took seven hours. The surgeries included fixing a left coronary sinus aneurysm, closing a right coronary sinus aneurysm, and replacing a severely leaking aortic valve. The left ASOV procedure was particularly difficult due to the tight space between the left coronary ostium and the left ASOV. To create more space, doctors used a new technique that involved flipping the left aortic leaflet towards the left ASOV. This method made it safer to replace the aortic valve and repair the left ASOV.”
“These aneurysms can burst at any moment, leading to serious complications,” Dr. Kumar added. “The innovative technique we used was vital for protecting the coronary arteries and ensuring a successful outcome.”
Dr. Niraj Uttamani, Chief Operating Officer at Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre, said, “This case highlights the importance of expertise and innovation in treating rare and complex cardiac conditions. Lilavati Hospital continues to set benchmarks in advanced heart care, offering hope to patients with challenging diagnoses. Awareness of rare and complicated conditions often goes unnoticed, leading to delays in patients reaching the hospital for timely treatment. In this case, Lilavati Hospital has operated free of cost, providing the patient with a new lease on life.”
Ms. Seema Patil expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am thankful to the doctors for giving me a second chance at life. Their expertise and care have been life-changing.”