Multiple Holes in the Heart Including One as Large as a Peanut, Repaired Through a Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

Our team of cardiac vascular surgeons at Sarvodaya Hospital, Sec 8, Faridabad, successfully repaired multiple holes in the heart of a 21-year-old female including one hole as big as a peanut through a minimally invasive cardiac surgery, getting her back on her feet within 2 days and discharged in 4 days. 

The patient had a complaint of breathlessness and palpitations while walking, climbing stairs or even during routine household chores. With time her issues worsened and she consulted doctors in Delhi but couldn't find the right treatment. 

On her visit to Sarvodaya, she consulted Dr. Ved Prakash, Senior Consultant, Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery. After investigation, it was found that she was suffering from large fenestrated multiple OS ASD or an ostium secundum atrial septum defect.

“It is a hole in the centre of the atrial septum. Normally, the right side of the heart pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs, while the left side pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body. An ASD allows blood from both sides to mix, causing the heart to work less efficiently.

A large atrial septal defect can cause extra blood to overfill the lungs and overwork the right side of the heart. If not treated, the right side of the heart eventually grows larger and becomes weak. The blood pressure in the arteries in the lungs can also increase, leading to pulmonary hypertension.” Dr. Ved Prakash.

Minimally invasive MICS-ASD closure was performed by making only a small 3-4 cm incision on the right side of the chest instead of the large midline incision and division of the sternum used in traditional open surgery. Through an endoscope, the concerned area was accessed and the holes were repaired. Using this technique, the stability of the chest is fully preserved, patients recover more quickly, and the minimal scar will be barely visible after the patient recovers.

For female patients, such surgery has an additional benefit as it saves them from any disfigurement of the chest area.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

•    No major cuts on the chest, cosmetically good 
•    Faster healing
•    Shorter stay at the hospital
•    Early discharge 
•    Less pain