28-Year-Old Saved From Rare Heart Condition Through Complex Surgery at SIMS Hospital
Chennai: Doctors at SIMS Hospital successfully treated a 28-year-old engineering student from Kerala, who was suffering from a rare and life-threatening heart condition.
The young man had been experiencing severe breathing difficulties for two months, and after visiting several hospitals in Kerala, he was diagnosed with a highly unusual combination of two serious heart issues, a "porcelain aorta," where the main artery becomes heavily calcified and fragile, and "aortic valve stenosis," a narrowing of the valve that controls blood flow from the heart.
Local hospitals deemed the surgery too risky due to the complexity of the condition.
Determined to find a solution, the patient travelled to the Aortic Aneurysm Centre at SIMS Hospital in Chennai, where a team of expert heart surgeons took on the challenge.
The surgical team performed a mechanical aortic valve replacement, a procedure made extraordinarily complex by the need to suture the heavily calcified aorta, the very structure supporting the aortic valve.
The operation lasted over five hours and required meticulous planning, precision, and coordination among the surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, and perfusionists.
Dr. V V Bashi, Director & Senior Consultant at the Institute of Cardiac & Advanced Aortic Diseases, explained the intricacy of the procedure. “The aorta is the body’s largest artery, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart, while the aortic valve ensures smooth flow and prevents backflow.
In this patient, both the valve and aorta posed extreme risks. Aortic valve stenosis is very rare in someone under 30, and a porcelain aorta in a young patient is extremely uncommon. The dual condition required careful management to restore heart function safely.”
Dr. Mohammed Idhrees, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, added, “Suturing a heavily calcified aorta is like working on an eggshell. Any misstep could cause calcium fragments to enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to stroke or serious complications.
Despite the risks, our team executed the surgery with precision, ensuring the patient’s safety at every step. The patient is now recovering well and is expected to lead a normal life with proper post-operative care.”
Dr. Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman of SIMS Hospital, highlighted the dedication and expertise of the surgical team.
He noted that successfully managing such a rare and delicate case underscores the hospital’s commitment to advanced patient care, demonstrating how precise planning, skill, and teamwork can overcome even the most challenging medical conditions.
Dr Bhumika Maikhuri is a Consultant Orthodontist at Sanjeevan Hospital, Delhi. She is also working as a Correspondent and a Medical Writer at Medical Dialogues. She completed her BDS from Dr D Y patil dental college and MDS from Kalinga institute of dental sciences. Apart from dentistry, she has a strong research and scientific writing acumen. At Medical Dialogues, She focusses on medical news, dental news, dental FAQ and medical writing etc.