Uzbek Teenager Receives Life-Saving Mechanical Heart Pump in Gurgaon
A 14-year-old boy from Uzbekistan has successfully undergone implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) at Artemis Hospitals in Gurgaon, marking a critical intervention after his heart failed to pump sufficient blood, resulting in cardiogenic shock and multiple organ failure.
Decade-Long Battle with Heart Failure
The adolescent had been living with a deteriorating heart condition for nearly ten years. Over the past year, his health declined rapidly, leading to severe symptoms including breathlessness at rest, inability to walk without frequent stops, and repeated admissions to the paediatric cardiac intensive care unit. In one particularly critical episode, the reduced pumping capacity of his heart triggered shock and pushed his liver and kidneys toward failure.
Urgent Medical Decision
With no access to advanced cardiac treatments in Uzbekistan and a slim chance of surviving the prolonged wait for a donor heart transplant, his family brought him to Artemis Hospitals approximately two months ago. After a thorough evaluation for a paediatric heart transplant, the medical team determined he was too unstable to await a donor organ. Consequently, they opted for an LVAD implantation as a life-saving measure of last resort.
Surgical Procedure and Recovery
The mechanical heart pump was surgically attached to the heart's main pumping chamber and connected to the aorta, facilitating the flow of oxygen-rich blood to vital organs. The device resides inside the chest and is linked to an external controller and battery via a thin cable. Remarkably, within days post-surgery, the boy's condition began to stabilize. Over subsequent weeks, he regained strength, started walking independently, and even managed to climb stairs. He has since been discharged from the hospital and is anticipated to return to school while continuing with medical follow-up appointments.
Expert Insights on the Case
Dr. Aseem R Srivastava, Chief of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery at Artemis Hospitals, described the procedure as "one of the most challenging we have undertaken." He emphasized that the successful outcome hinged on meticulous coordination among surgeons, cardiologists, intensive care specialists, anaesthetists, nurses, physiotherapists, and biomedical teams.
Broader Implications for Paediatric Cardiac Care
Medical experts note that this case underscores significant gaps in paediatric cardiac care within India. Key challenges include:
- A severe shortage of donor hearts for children
- High costs associated with advanced medical devices like LVADs
- A limited number of specialized centres equipped to perform such complex procedures
As a result, mechanical heart pumps are employed in paediatric cases only under exceptional circumstances. Experts argue that expanding access to paediatric assist devices could substantially improve survival prospects for children with end-stage heart failure, who currently have very few viable treatment options.
