A 31-year-old woman, eight months pregnant with twins, faced a life-threatening cardiac emergency that nearly claimed three lives. Tejaswini Hire was rushed to KEM Hospital after she experienced intense chest pain radiating down her spine, along with severe breathlessness. Doctors soon discovered the cause—a tear in her aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Critical Delay Forces Family to Seek Private Care
However, delays in diagnosis and treatment at the government-run hospital cost valuable time—almost a full day. Fearing for the lives of both mother and babies, Tejaswini’s family decided to transfer her to Jaslok Hospital, a private facility.
“At KEM, I was told the costs could be Rs 4 lakh, but the risks seemed too high, and we had lost trust,” said Nishant Hire, her husband. The couple lives in Ramabai Ambedkar Nagar, Ghatkopar. “We had to borrow from friends and family. All our savings are gone, but at least all three are alive and safe,” he added.
A doctor from KEM responded, “They took discharge against medical advice. It was a high-risk case with low survival chances, but we were prepared to operate. In the end, it was the patient’s choice.”
A Rare and Complex Diagnosis: Marfan Syndrome
At Jaslok Hospital, Dr. Hemant Pathare, the cardiothoracic surgeon who led the case, diagnosed Tejaswini with Marfan Syndrome, a genetic condition that weakens connective tissue and can lead to life-threatening cardiovascular complications.
“The tear had extended to her coronary artery, and her aortic valve was leaking significantly,” said Dr. Pathare. “She developed severe fluid congestion in the lungs and had to be put on a ventilator. Eventually, her condition worsened with complications affecting multiple organs.”
Emergency C-Section and 18-Hour Open-Heart Surgery
By the time Tejaswini arrived at Jaslok, one of the twins had no detectable heartbeat. This prompted an emergency caesarean section, performed by Dr. Danny Laliwala, her gynaecologist. Immediately after the delivery, Tejaswini underwent an 18-hour open-heart surgery to repair the aortic dissection and save her life.
“Marfan Syndrome poses danger even outside pregnancy, but it significantly increases the mother’s risk during pregnancy,” Dr. Laliwala noted. “Cardiac complications can strike anytime—from early pregnancy to immediately after delivery.”
Survival Comes at a Cost—but with Gratitude
As reported by TOI, the total cost of care, including NICU stay for the twins and Tejaswini’s complex treatment, exceeded Rs 30 lakh. The family remains under financial strain but is grateful for the outcome.
“She’s still recovering and will need lifelong blood thinners,” said Nishant. “But the twins are healthy, and Tejaswini is alive—that’s all that matters.”
Dr. Pathare added, “This might be the first known case in the world where both mother and twins survived such a complicated Marfan-related aortic dissection during pregnancy. Maternal mortality in such cases can be as high as 50%, and infant mortality even higher.”