Doctors at KIMS Cuddles, Kondapur, successfully performed a complex life-saving open-heart surgery on a two-month-old infant diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect. The timely intervention restored normal heart function and gave the baby a new lease of life.
Infant Presented with Breathing Difficulty and Signs of Heart Failure
The infant, who hails from Khammam district, was brought to KIMS Cuddles with severe breathing difficulty and symptoms suggestive of heart failure.
Sharing details of the case, Dr. Aparna C., Clinical Director, Head of Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and Senior Consultant Neonatologist and Pediatrician, said that the baby was immediately admitted for evaluation and intensive monitoring.
Doctors Diagnose Rare Congenital Heart Condition – ARCAPA
After initial clinical assessment, the medical team conducted a series of investigations to determine the cause of the infant’s condition.
An echocardiogram performed by Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Sudeep Varma revealed a rare congenital heart anomaly known as ARCAPA (Anomalous Right Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery). The diagnosis was subsequently confirmed through an aortogram.
In ARCAPA, the right coronary artery arises abnormally from the pulmonary artery instead of the aorta. As a result, the heart muscle receives poorly oxygenated blood, which can lead to heart failure, severe complications, or even sudden infant death if not treated promptly.
Surgical Team Performs Complex Open-Heart Procedure
Following the diagnosis, the cardiac surgery team decided to proceed with urgent open-heart surgery.
During the procedure, the surgeons carefully detached the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery and reimplanted it into the aorta. They used a specialized “hood” surgical technique, which ensured proper positioning and restored the normal flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
This intricate procedure required exceptional precision because of the tiny size of the infant’s blood vessels.
Intensive Post-Surgical Care in NICU
After the surgery, the infant received comprehensive post-operative critical care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The medical team administered anticoagulant therapy to prevent blood clot formation. In addition, the infant was supported with ventilator assistance, inotropes to maintain cardiac function, and peritoneal dialysis when necessary as part of the critical care management.
Thanks to continuous monitoring and multidisciplinary care, the infant recovered steadily and was eventually discharged from the NICU in stable condition.
Challenges of Cardiac Surgery in Newborns
Dr. Aparna highlighted that performing open-heart surgery in very young infants is extremely challenging.
“The procedure requires meticulous surgical precision because newborns have very small blood vessels and limited physiological reserves. Moreover, maintaining stable blood circulation and body temperature during surgery adds another layer of complexity,” she explained.
Despite these challenges, the coordinated efforts of the specialized team led to a successful surgical outcome.
Multidisciplinary Team Behind the Successful Surgery
The complex procedure was carried out by a highly skilled multidisciplinary team. The surgical team included:
- Dr. Anil, Senior Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon
- Dr. Nagarajan, Cardiac Anesthesiologist
- Dr. Sudeep Varma, Pediatric Cardiologist
As per the press release, the neonatology team, led by Dr. Aparna C., included Dr. Vishwanath, Dr. Amit, Dr. Ishita, and Dr. Rajashekhar, all of whom played crucial roles in the infant’s treatment and recovery.
Importance of Early Diagnosis in Congenital Heart Disease
ARCAPA is an extremely rare congenital heart anomaly, accounting for approximately 0.25% of congenital coronary artery anomalies. If left untreated, the condition can lead to severe cardiac complications or sudden infant death.
This case underscores the critical importance of early diagnosis, advanced neonatal cardiac care, and timely surgical intervention in managing congenital heart diseases.
Dr. Aparna emphasized that with modern neonatal cardiac care facilities and specialized expertise, even critically ill infants with rare heart defects can be successfully treated and saved.