Mumbai, 20th March 2022: Diseases of the aortic valve have a well-established association with old age and chronic cardiovascular disease. Any valve in the heart can become diseased, but the aortic valve is most affected. Aortic Stenosis (AS) is the restricted opening of one of the valves in the heart. It can lead to difficulty in breathing, dizziness, and sudden cardiac death.
At Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, Ms. Sugandha Jadhav, a 71-year young patient, presented with symptoms of breathlessness during routine activities. She was diagnosed with Type 2 respiratory failure with a background of Bronchial asthma and Old TB. Echocardiogram was suggestive of severe AS and Severe Left Ventricular dysfunction (EF- 15 %). Treatment options for severe AS are Surgical Replacement (Open heart surgery) or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). This patient was advised TAVI considering her age and other comorbidities. TAVI is an advanced procedure in which narrowed valve is replaced without the need for surgery. The patient opted for Open heart surgery.
Any line of surgery was a risk-taking factor in the case of Ms. Jadhav said Dr. Rohra because of:
- a) Weight 32kg
- b) Age 71
- c) Chronic obstructive lung disease (Bronchial Asthma)
- d) Severe irreversible Restrictive lung disease on PFT
- e) Severe LV dysfunction (EF-15©)
The calculated risk to life was 20 % and the risk for prolonged ventilation was 67 %. It means 1 in 5 patients may not make it out with open heart surgery in her case.
Dr. Gulshan Rohra, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central further added, “We optimized her and meticulously planned for 2 weeks before taking her for open heart surgery. During surgery, the biggest challenge was to replace the diseased valve with a new one considering her low weight and difficult valve anatomy. With a good team of doctors, the surgery went well without any complications. In the next 48 hours, she was off the ventilator and having her breakfast. Over the next few days, we helped her with pulmonary and physical rehabilitation. She is in follow-up and doing well”.
According to Mrs. Jadhav, I was admitted to the hospital in a very delicate condition, after consulting Dr. Honey Savla, Internal Medicine at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, I was advised for a full body check-up. In the reports some abnormalities in the heart were shown, I was then recommended to meet Dr. Gulshan Rohra, Cardiologist, who consulted us about the problem and the risks involved in the surgery. I was put on immediate medication and we were given time to think over the procedure involved (AS). My faith in the doctors and my zest to live longer for my children made me overcome fear, and today I am normal and leading a beautiful life with my children. I thank each person at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central for all the care, concern, and love shown during my treatment.”
The team of doctors at Wockhardt Hospitals, took this calculated risk when they saw the faith Mrs. Jadhav had in them and successfully lived up to the hospital tagline LIFE WINS.
