-Jasmeet Singh
Chandigarh, June 14, 2023: In a remarkable medical breakthrough, the Department of Paediatric Cardiac Sciences at Fortis Hospital Mohali successfully saved the life of a 5-day-old premature newborn who was battling a complex congenital heart defect, along with other health complications. Weighing only 1.7 kilograms, the baby faced severe respiratory challenges, exacerbated by a dangerously low level of oxygen in the bloodstream, leading to visible cyanosis around the lips. With each passing day, the newborn’s condition continued to deteriorate, prompting the medical team, led by Dr Rajat Gupta, Senior Consultant in the Department of Paediatric Cardiac Sciences at Fortis Hospital Mohali, to perform a groundbreaking Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) stenting procedure.
Following birth, the infant encountered significant difficulties in breathing and tolerating feeds, causing immense concern for the family. Seeking urgent medical intervention, they turned to Dr Gupta at Fortis Mohali. Through a comprehensive medical examination and echocardiography test, it was discovered that the baby suffered from a complex heart disease, resulting in poor development of the right side of the heart and complete blockage of the artery leading to the lungs. The Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), responsible for carrying blood to the lungs for oxygenation, was constricting rapidly, making it imperative to keep this vital artery open in order to save the newborn’s life.
Under the guidance of Dr Gupta, the team of skilled doctors performed a minimally-invasive PDA stenting procedure. This involved the placement of a stent within the infant’s narrowing artery, accessed through a small incision in the thigh. This innovative approach allowed for uninterrupted blood flow to the lungs, stabilizing the baby’s condition over the course of the following two days. Six days after the groundbreaking procedure, the newborn was discharged from the hospital, now able to consume feed normally and embarking on a path towards a healthier life.
