11 day old baby with complex cardiac problem successfully treated

The Peadiatric Cardiology team at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, successfully performed a complex and rare surgery on a prematurely born tiny baby suffering from Ebstein’s Anomaly, a critical congenital heart ailment.

The baby of Shaheen (name changed on request) had an abnormal right side valve (Tricuspid valve) called Ebstein’s Anomaly, where the valve leaks profusely.

He also had atresia of pulmonary valve, which meant that no blood flow was going to his lung from the heart for oxygenation.

This life threatening abnormality was detected by the doctors at Apollo Hospitals when the baby was still in the womb through a fetal echocardiography.

A medical team comprising of Pediatric cardiologist, Obstetrician, Neonatologist and Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon took utmost care to meet any contingency during the birth of the baby considering his precarious medical condition.

“The surgery was especially challenging because of his deteriorating condition, tiny baby size, small size of the heart (no bigger than an adult thumb) and organs.

The task was daunting and the team had to perform the surgery with great dexterity,” says Dr Girish Warrier, Senior Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon, who led the team in performing the surgery.

After a consultation with the family, the team decided to go ahead with the surgery on September 14, albeit at a high risk. Specially designed circuitry had to be used to place the child on bypass. He required an urgent tube graft that would send blood from his aorta to lungs.

The leaking tricuspid valve was closed using a patch. Thereafter, a shunt was created to provide reliable source of blood supply to the lungs for purification.

The child tolerated the procedure well and was taken off the bypass machine and then shifted to the intensive care unit. He gradually recovered from the surgery and was shifted to the ward on the 14th post-operative day.

The team included Paediatric Cardiologist Dr Kavitha Chintala, Obstetrician Dr Prameela Sekhar, Cardiac Anaesthetist and Critical Care Specialist Dr Meena Trehan, Paediatrician Dr Sharmila Kaza, residents, fellows, nurses and ancillary staff.

“The baby may require two to three more surgeries in future, this is not the end. There must be complete and regular follow up about his health. Any infections or immune problems should be addressed immediately.

The baby can lead a 90 per cent normal life compared to us,” says Dr Girish Warrier. “The baby boy is required to use a tablet for lifelong in order to stop the blood from clotting,” he added.