Rare heart surgeries done at govt medical college

Thiruvananthapuram: Six rare heart surgeries were performed at the cardiology department of govt medical college. These surgeries addressed large atrial septal defects present from birth, ventricular septal defects in adults, atrial septal aneurysms and paravalvular leaks occurring after valve surgeries in adults, all through keyhole surgery.

An atrial septal defect is a congenital heart problem that occurs when there is a hole in the wall that separates the heart's upper chambers (atria). A ventricular septal defect is a congenital heart defect that occurs when the wall between the heart's lower chambers (ventricles) don't fully develop during pregnancy. An atrial septal aneurysm is a rare, congenital or acquired heart condition that causes extra tissue to develop in the wall that separates the atria. A paravalvular leak is a complication that can occur after a prosthetic heart valve is implanted, when blood leaks through a gap between the valve and the surrounding heart tissue.

These heart surgeries, led by Dr K Shivaprasad, head of the cardiology department, have been performed for the first time at the medical college hospital. The surgeries were carried out on Saturday on six individuals aged between 28 and 57 years. Such complex surgeries cost Rs 4-5 lakh in the private sector, but they were conducted free of charge at the medical college through various govt schemes.

Health minister Veena George congratulated the entire team involved in these rare heart surgeries.