JAMMU: A delay in surgery could have affected the baby’s heart and lungs; the baby underwent two balloon angioplasties to restore blood supply to her body Jammu, February 23, 2023: In a one-of-its kind case, the Department of Paediatric Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Hospital Mohali, successfully saved the life of a 10-day-old baby — who was extremely underweight at 1.3 kg and suffering from “Coarctation of Aorta” — through Balloon Angioplasty. Coarctation of Aorta (CoA) is a congenital heart defect and causes narrowing of the aorta (main heart artery), thereby obstructing the flow of blood. This defect puts excessive pressure on the heart and a delay in surgery can affect the heart, lungs and endanger the child’s life. The baby was put on life-saving medicines and shifted to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, where her parents approached Dr Rajat Gupta, Senior Consultant, Department of Paediatric Cardiac Sciences in October 2023. Led by Dr. Rajat Gupta, the medical team swiftly intervened to address the baby’s critical condition. Balloon Angioplasty, a minimally invasive procedure, was performed to open the narrowed artery through a tiny incision in the neck, thus avoiding the need for open-heart surgery. Dr. Gupta emphasized the importance of early detection and intervention in cases of congenital heart defects, highlighting that timely treatment is crucial to preventing irreversible damage to the child’s heart. He further explained that Balloon Angioplasty can serve as a life-saving measure for newborns too fragile to undergo immediate surgical intervention. Following the procedure, the baby’s health stabilized, and she was discharged from the hospital. However, in December 2023, she underwent a second Balloon Angioplasty to further improve blood flow to her body. Post-surgery, the baby’s health has significantly improved, and she has shown remarkable weight gain. The Department of Paediatric Cardiac Sciences at Fortis Hospital Mohali is renowned for its expertise in treating complex congenital heart conditions. Serving patients not only from Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh but also from neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Mongolia, and South Africa, the department remains committed to providing exceptional care to children with cardiac ailments.
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