A 71-year-old woman from Baramati, who previously underwent two open-heart surgeries and weighed only 33 kg, received life-saving treatment at KEM Hospital, Parel. Cardiologists successfully repaired her leaking mitral valve on Wednesday—without surgical incisions or general anesthesia.
A Cost-Effective Alternative to Private Treatment
For Indu Raut’s family, the procedure was not only a medical breakthrough but also a financial relief. Private hospitals typically charge around ₹20 lakh for this minimally invasive valve replacement. However, at public hospitals like KEM, patients only pay for the valve and consumables, as the procedure and hospital stay are provided at no cost.
A Complex Case with a History of Heart Disease
Indu Raut had mitral valve replacement surgery in 2014, but the valve began leaking again two years ago. She had rheumatic heart disease, a condition triggered by a childhood infection caused by group A streptococcal bacteria.
Her previous surgeon ruled out further intervention, citing her frail health, enlarged heart, and respiratory complications that made anesthesia risky. As her condition worsened, she was repeatedly hospitalized. Three months ago, when she sought medical attention, her regular doctor was unavailable. Fortunately, his substitute—a KEM alumnus—suggested she visit the Parel facility.
Challenges in Diagnosis and Valve Sizing
Indu was admitted to KEM on February 16, but doctors faced challenges in assessing her condition. Her previous medical records were missing, requiring several days of tests to determine the correct valve size, explained Dr. Shreyas Ravat, who proctored the procedure.
Dr. Ajay Mahajan, head of cardiology at KEM, led the procedure along with Dr. Girish Sabnis and Dr. Charan Lanjewar. He highlighted the complexity of the case: “The pressure in her heart chamber was extremely high, and her lungs were congested. This prevented us from using a transesophageal echocardiogram, which typically guides mitral valve repairs. In essence, we had to perform the procedure without direct imaging.”
A Rare Feat in Minimally Invasive Cardiology
As reported by timesofindia, performing mitral valve repairs without a transesophageal echocardiogram is uncommon, noted Dr. Brian Pinto from Holy Family Hospital, Bandra. “The minimally invasive method is still relatively new but is gaining traction,” he added.
Indu’s successful treatment at KEM Hospital highlights the potential of advanced cardiac care in public healthcare facilities, offering life-saving procedures at a fraction of the cost.