A multidisciplinary team at Medicover Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, successfully treated a 51-year-old woman who arrived at the emergency department with sudden breathlessness, severe calf pain, collapse, and loss of consciousness. What initially appeared to be simple leg pain quickly escalated into a life-threatening emergency.
Investigations revealed a massive saddle-shaped blood clot in the main pulmonary artery, a condition known as pulmonary embolism, along with a giant uterine fibroid extending up to the chest region. Thanks to rapid ICU admission, advanced interventional procedures, and complex surgery, the patient has now recovered well.
The multidisciplinary team included Dr. Badal Taori (Internal Medicine), Dr. Anuranjita Pallavi (Gynecologist), Dr. Dharmik Bhuva (Interventional Radiologist), and Dr. Vivek (Surgical Oncologist).
Months of Undiagnosed Health Issues
As per the press release, the patient, Mrs. Oneza Gite, a homemaker from Dighi Village in Shrivardhan Taluka, Raigad district, had been experiencing health problems for nearly eight months. During this period, she suffered significant weight loss and repeated episodes of heavy menstrual bleeding, which gradually weakened her and disrupted her daily routine.
Although she sought medical advice, her symptoms persisted and her condition continued to deteriorate.
Sudden Collapse Triggers Emergency Referral
On 4 February 2026, her condition suddenly worsened. While bending down at home, she fainted and collapsed, alarming her family. They immediately rushed her to Shrivardhan Hospital for initial treatment.
However, due to the complexity of her condition, doctors referred her to Medicover Hospital for advanced care.
She was admitted on 5 February 2026 under the care of Dr. Badal Taori after experiencing acute breathlessness, cold sensation in the lower limb, repeated vomiting, and persistent calf pain. Considering the severity of her symptoms, the medical team immediately shifted her to the ICU.
Imaging Reveals Massive Pulmonary Embolism
Emergency investigations soon confirmed the seriousness of the condition. CT Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) revealed a saddle pulmonary embolism, where a large clot was lodged at the junction of the main pulmonary artery and extended into both lung arteries.
Additionally, a CT scan of the abdomen detected a giant uterine leiomyoma (fibroid) with degenerative changes, extending up to the xiphisternum, the lower part of the chest bone.
Dr. Badal Taori, Internal Medicine, explained that the clot blocked blood flow to both lungs, placing immense strain on the heart. Without immediate treatment, such a condition could quickly lead to cardiac arrest or death.
He further noted that pulmonary embolism may present with sudden breathlessness, chest discomfort, fainting, or collapse, while early warning signs like calf pain or leg discomfort are often overlooked. Risk factors in middle-aged individuals may include prolonged immobility, hormonal factors, obesity, underlying tumors, or clotting disorders.
Advanced Interventional Procedure Clears Lung Clot
To remove the life-threatening clot, Dr. Dharmik Bhuva, Interventional Radiologist, performed a mechanical catheter-directed thrombectomy on 7 February.
During the procedure, he inserted a thin catheter through the femoral vein in the leg and carefully guided it to the pulmonary arteries. The team then mechanically broke and removed the clot while simultaneously administering clot-dissolving medication directly at the site.
A Doppler study of the lower limb did not reveal deep vein thrombosis. Later, on 10 February, doctors performed venoplasty and placed an infrarenal IVC filter to prevent future clots from travelling to the lungs.
Surgical Removal of Giant Fibroid
Once the patient’s breathing stabilised, doctors addressed the underlying cause of the condition.
Dr. Anuranjita Pallavi, Gynecologist, explained that the patient’s case was highly complex because she had both a massive pulmonary embolism and an extremely large uterine fibroid occupying a large portion of the abdomen.
Large pelvic tumours can sometimes compress surrounding veins and increase the risk of clot formation. Therefore, after careful planning and stabilization, the team performed a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy under general anaesthesia.
During the three-hour surgery, doctors successfully removed a 30 cm fibroid weighing nearly 4 kilograms, which had extended up to the chest region.
Dr. Pallavi emphasised that timely intervention and close collaboration between critical care, interventional radiology, and gynecology specialists played a crucial role in saving the patient’s life.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Following surgery, the patient remained under close ICU monitoring and responded well to treatment. Gradually, her condition improved.
She was shifted to the general ward on 18 February 2026, after which doctors initiated physiotherapy and supervised mobilization. With structured rehabilitation, she steadily regained her strength.
Dr. Taori reported that her breathing normalised, heart function stabilised, and mobility improved. She has also been started on blood-thinning medications to prevent recurrence of clot formation.
Rising Incidence of Pulmonary Embolism
Dr. Taori also noted that doctors are witnessing an increasing number of pulmonary embolism cases in the 40–60 age group. These cases are often associated with sedentary lifestyle, hormonal changes, obesity, long-distance travel, or undiagnosed tumours.
He stressed that sudden breathlessness, unexplained leg pain, or fainting should never be ignored, as early medical intervention can be life-saving.
Patient Shares Her Experience
Reflecting on her experience, Oneza Gite expressed gratitude for the care she received.
“I remember feeling sudden breathlessness, and then everything went blank. Later I was told that my condition was critical. I never imagined that calf pain could lead to something so serious. The doctors constantly reassured my family and acted immediately. From emergency treatment to surgery, every step was explained patiently. Today, I feel grateful and blessed to be alive. I am slowly returning to my routine and focusing on recovery. It truly feels like I have been given another chance at life,” she said.
Importance of Coordinated Specialist Care
Sandip Joshi, Centre Head, Medicover Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, concluded that the case demonstrates the importance of coordinated expert care and access to advanced interventional and surgical facilities.
He noted that timely imaging, round-the-clock ICU care, and seamless collaboration between departments helped prevent a fatal outcome. Raising awareness about early symptoms and the need for immediate medical attention can help save many lives in similar situations.