In a major breakthrough in paediatric cardiac care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raipur successfully performed a rare and highly complex corrective heart surgery on a 10-month-old infant suffering from ALCAPA (Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery), an extremely uncommon and life-threatening congenital heart defect reported in nearly one out of every 300,000 live births.

The infant, a resident of Raipur district, had allegedly been denied treatment at several healthcare centres due to the exceptionally high surgical risk associated with the condition. The child was later referred to AIIMS Raipur, where a multidisciplinary team of specialists from the Departments of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Cardiology, Cardiac Anaesthesia, Radiology and Paediatrics undertook the challenging procedure.

According to cardiologist Dr Naik, ALCAPA is among the rarest and most critical congenital cardiac anomalies, and only a few specialised centres worldwide possess the expertise to manage such high-risk cases in infants. The child was admitted with severely compromised cardiac function, including a critically low left ventricular ejection fraction of just 20 per cent and severe mitral regurgitation, significantly increasing both operative and postoperative risks.

The intricate surgery was successfully performed by the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery team. Complex perioperative and anaesthetic management was led by Dr Subrata Singha and his team, ensuring meticulous intraoperative and postoperative care. The first 24 hours after surgery remained extremely critical and required intensive multidisciplinary monitoring and advanced life support.

Following the successful procedure, the infant showed remarkable recovery, was extubated on the second postoperative day and discharged in stable condition on the ninth postoperative day.

Congratulating the medical team, Lt Gen Ashok Jindal (Retd) described the successful surgery as a significant milestone for AIIMS Raipur and said the achievement reflects the institute’s growing expertise in advanced paediatric cardiac surgery and comprehensive high-risk cardiac care, comparable to leading national and international centres.

 

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RDJ/BKT

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