A Rare Dual Diagnosis
Heart tumours are extremely rare, occurring in less than one person per million. Yet, 67-year-old Yogesh Mehta from Dombivli faced not only a benign heart tumour (myxoma) but also a significant blockage in one of his main coronary arteries.
“It is rare to find a right atrial myxoma and even rarer to have a concomitant coronary artery disease in the same patient,” said Dr Bijoy Kutty, the cardiac surgeon who performed Mehta’s emergency surgery to tackle both issues.
Unusual Symptoms Overlooked
Mehta, who previously ran a hardware business, first experienced symptoms that hardly seemed heart-related. He suffered from loose motions and persistent weakness, prompting doctors to initially investigate his digestive system.
Even more telling symptoms—such as breathlessness or fainting spells when lying down—were missed by multiple physicians. “The tumour had grown large enough to press on his heart and blood vessels, affecting blood flow and causing dizzy spells,” Dr Kutty explained. When surgeons removed the tumour, it had reached the size of a small orange.
A Sudden Collapse Leads to Diagnosis
As reported by TOI, the situation escalated on March 23 when Mehta collapsed in the bathroom. “It took us some time to revive him,” recalled his wife, Trupti. His son Paras rushed him to Om Hospital, which quickly referred him to Icon Hospital, a heart-specialty center in Dombivli.
At Icon Hospital, Dr Kutty discovered both the tumour and a blockage in Mehta’s left anterior descending artery. Recognizing the complexity, he recommended transferring Mehta to Platinum Hospital in Mulund for advanced surgical care.
Life-Saving Surgery
On March 26, Mehta underwent a five-hour cardiac surgery to remove the myxoma and fix the coronary artery blockage. Doctors reassured the family that the tumour would not recur. However, Dr Kutty cautioned that heart tumours can be dangerous because pieces can break off, travel through the bloodstream, and cause life-threatening complications like strokes.
Understanding Heart Tumours
Professor Dr Balaji Aironi from KEM Hospital’s cardiothoracic department noted that although heart tumours are rare, referral centers like KEM see about eight to nine cases each year. “Heart tumours grow slowly, taking years to impact the heart’s function,” he said, adding that Mehta’s artery blockage was likely a new, age-related issue.
A New Lease on Life
Today, Mehta, a father of three sons, feels deeply grateful for his second chance at life. “I have got a second life,” he said, relieved that his dual heart conditions were treated just in time.