• Narayana Hospital, RN Tagore Hospital’s Expert Team Successfully Treats Complex Congenital Heart Defect in Newborn, Turning a Life-Threatening Crisis into a tale of Hope and Recovery
Kolkata– A one-month-old baby was brought to the emergency department at Narayana Hospital, RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, in a critical condition with severe respiratory distress. The baby was dependent on oxygen support and later mechanical ventilation. An experienced team of the hospital swung into action and saved the life of the tiny patient who was diagnosed with a rare and complex congenital heart condition.
A detailed evaluation, including CT Pulmonary Angiography, revealed the rare congenital defect: Hemitruncus, a condition where the right pulmonary artery originates from the aorta instead of the pulmonary artery, alongside a dysplastic tricuspid valve. The infant’s case was further complicated by severe pulmonary arterial hypertension. Urgent and life-saving intervention by the hospital’s expert team turned what seemed like an impossible challenge into a story of hope and recovery.
Dr. Sukanta Behara, Senior Consultant in Cardiac Surgery at Narayana Hospital, RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, led the multidisciplinary team that took on the challenge of performing a Hemitruncus repair and tricuspid valve repair. During the procedure, we encountered a rare complication in infants — a tear in the tricuspid valve. To fix this, the team had to create a new chord to support the valve.”
“This case was incredibly challenging due to the young age and small size of the patient, along with the complexity of her condition. Our team had to be extremely precise and cautious throughout the surgery. The successful outcome reflects our dedication to offering the highest standard of heart care for newborns,” added Dr. Sukanta Behara.
The surgery took 5-6 hours, followed by a 30-day hospital stay, where the patient faced numerous challenges in her recovery. Postoperatively, the infant experienced pulmonary artery hypertensive crises, necessitating prolonged ventilation support, the use of nitric oxide therapy, pulmonary vasodilators, and intensive physiotherapy to manage repeated lung collapses.
On day 14, while extubating, the baby suffered from cardiac arrest, which required immediate CPR and reintubation. Despite these complications, the clinical team gradually weaned the patient off ventilation, stabilizing her condition with optimized medication and extensive physiotherapy.
By day 30, the baby was discharged in a stable condition, having made a significant recovery. She is now thriving and showing promising signs of continued improvement under regular follow-up care.
“This case underscores our hospital’s expertise in managing rare and high-risk congenital heart conditions in infants. Despite the initial challenges and the complex nature of the case, our team’s collaborative approach and cutting-edge treatment protocols helped us achieve a successful outcome,” said Mr. R. Venkatesh, COO of Narayana Health.
The clinical success is a testament to Narayana Hospital, RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur’s position as a leader in neonatal cardiac care, addressing some of the most challenging medical cases with life-saving interventions.
“Our hospital has always prioritized patient-centered care with a focus on innovation and teamwork. This miraculous life-saving procedure at our hospital is a reflection of how advanced infrastructure, combined with the skill of our multidisciplinary clinical teams, can achieve extraordinary results even in the most difficult cases. We are committed to continuing to offer such life-saving interventions across specialities,” concluded Mr. Abhijit CP, Director, Narayana Hospital RN Tagore Hospital and Corporate Growth Initiatives, Narayana Health (East).
