In a remarkable medical achievement, a 29-year-old man from Jharkhand has been given a new lease on life after undergoing a rare and complex hybrid cardiac surgery at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon. The patient, Saif Alam from Palamu district, was suffering from a life-threatening rupture of his thoracic-abdominal aorta, which had led to severe internal bleeding.
A Misdiagnosis and a Race Against Time
The patient's ordeal began in Jharkhand, where he was initially treated for what local doctors believed was a fluid build-up in his chest. A chest tube was inserted to drain the suspected fluid. However, the real culprit was far more dangerous: a ruptured aorta, the body's largest artery. This critical misdiagnosis meant the underlying, fatal condition was left untreated, leading to further internal bleeding.
Over the following months, Saif Alam's health deteriorated drastically. His heart function plummeted to a mere 15%. Desperate for help, his family approached multiple hospitals in Jharkhand, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. Each one declined to operate, citing the extraordinarily high risks involved. He was finally shifted as an emergency case to Fortis Hospital in Gurgaon, where a specialized team decided to take on the challenge.
The Groundbreaking Hybrid Procedure
Led by Dr. Udgeath Dhir, Principal Director of Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery, the medical team discovered the patient's entire thoracic-abdominal aorta was abnormally enlarged and clogged with clots. This severely restricted blood flow to vital organs like the kidneys, liver, and intestines. A conventional open-heart surgery was deemed too dangerous due to the imminent threats of paralysis, organ failure, and death.
Faced with no other option, the doctors pioneered a two-stage hybrid cardiac surgery. This innovative approach combined open bypass and endovascular (stent-based) repair techniques. The procedure, performed in the third week of December, unfolded in two critical phases:
- First, a stent graft was placed to seal the rupture and control the internal bleeding.
- This was followed by a complex "aortic debranching" surgery to reroute and maintain blood supply to the vital organs.
Throughout the operation, the team conducted continuous spinal cord pressure monitoring to minimize the risk of paralysis. Dr. Anand Kumar, Senior Director of Cardiac Anaesthesia, highlighted the anaesthetic challenges, stating it required constant vigilance due to unstable blood pressure, weak heart performance, and the risk of neurological damage.
A Miraculous Recovery and Medical History
Despite facing what doctors estimated was a nearly 50% risk of death, Saif Alam defied the odds. The surgery was successful, and he was discharged from the hospital just six days later. His recovery marks a significant milestone in cardiac care.
Based on available medical literature, doctors at Fortis believe this case may be the first such hybrid procedure reported in South-East Asia. The patient continues to receive treatment for his low heart function and may require another cardiac procedure once his condition stabilizes further. This story stands as a testament to medical innovation and expertise in tackling one of the most critical cardiovascular emergencies.
