The cardiac surgery team at Paras Hospitals, Gurgaon successfully saved the life of a 4 yr old child suffering from congenital heart disease by performing a complex surgery. Master Dhruv was suffering from Ostium Secundum Atrial Septal Defect – a large opening in the wall that separates the heart’s left and right sides, and a complex surgery called as Patch Closure of ASD was performed to treat him.
Dhruv came to the hospital complaining of breathlessness and palpitations. He was admitted to the hospital and few tests highlighted that he suffered a serious congenital heart ailment. The heart defect called Atrial Septal Defect was in him since birth. Due to the active life of the child, his heart started getting strained and his symptoms started to show.
According to Dr. Vishal Agarwal, HOD Cardiac Surgery, “An Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a congenital heart disease in which the heart wall separating the heart chambers has a hole. There is a small opening present between the heart chambers at the time of birth, which with age it doesn’t close naturally and ends up becoming bigger, it develops into an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). In India, more than 1 lakh children are born each year with this defect. This is third most common congenital heart disease. About 30% to 50% of children with congenital heart defects have an ASD as part of their cardiac defect. With improved detection of defects by Echo, the incidence seems to be increasing.”
He adds, “The symptoms of this ailment starts showing in childhood or later in life. The same depends on the size of the defect. The common signs and symptoms associated with the heart defect are – shortness of breath, fatigue, heart palpitations, or a decrease in exercise capacity. Patients usually have an audible heart murmur that is caused by the extra blood flow across the pulmonary valve to the lungs.”
Dr. Vishal shares that in Dhruv’s case the septal defect was quite large and in fact there were multiple holes in the chamber wall. The situation was severe, causing strain on his breathing and heart condition. Post-diagnosis it was confirmed that an immediate Patch closure of ASD would be needed. Any delay would cause impairment of the heart muscles, a complication of the symptoms and adverse effect on the other organs.
Dhruv was prepared for surgery and post his family’s consent; he was wheeled in for pediatric cardiac surgery. His father shares, “We couldn’t believe it when Dr. Vishal shared the severity of the ailment Dhruv was suffering from. I could never imagine that my child could be suffering from a heart defect. We are highly thankful that the heart defect got detected in time and has been treated by the right experts. Moreover, we are extremely thankful for Dr. Vishal and his team of doctors for being so patient with Dhruv. They made him feel welcome and comfortable, giving him the strength that all this is being done for his own good.”
Post surgery Dhruv was provided special rehabilitation care. Physiotherapy and diet programs were coordinated to ensure that his recovery is gradual and this patch gets accepted by the body.
Dr. Vishal shares, “Patients that have big ASD are more likely to suffer from congestive heart failure, Arrhythmia or stroke. This is due to the excessive blood flow and subsequent pressure into the right atrium, ventricle, and lungs. This also leads to high pressure on the pulmonary artery causing arrhythmias. Moreover, the lung vessels can become stiff and increase the resistance of the pulmonary circulation and result in a so-called Eisenmenger syndrome. Such patients are very sick, acquire a blue tinge to the skin, and are in heart failure. Hence timely treatment for ASD is imperative.”
