MedWorld India affiliated heart hospitals in India to deliver 99 percent and above successful outcomes for heart surgery.

Heart Surgery in India with the Best Heart surgeons in India is what medical tourists coming to India look for and is delivered at best cardiac hospitals in India. No other destination in the world can match the unparalleled clinical excellence, technology infrastructure and cost advantage offered by MedWorld India affiliated heart hospitals in India to deliver 99 percent and above successful outcomes for heart surgery.

Popularly known as the Bypass Surgery, Cardiac bypass implanting a healthy or working blood vessel from any other part of the body to bypass the blocked vessel. The heart surgeons in India are highly experienced to perform a CABG or heart bypass surgery. India offers great value proposition to patients looking for affordable Heart surgery or Cardiac surgery abroad as not only the cost of cardiac bypass surgery in India is very low, the facilities and infrastructure is most modern and is counted among the best heart hospitals in the world. The blockages in the arteries grow with the deposition of fat. This process is called as Artherosclerosis. These blockages obstruct the free flow of the blood to the various parts of the heart leading to severe chest pain (known as angina) or a heart attack in the later stages.

Today Cardiology treatment in India has come up as a suitable option in order to get rid of any of the heart defects as the cost in India of any of the treatments is the best and that too at rates which are absolutely affordable. Because of these benefits of choosing in India, any of the treatments, many foreigners have come down here in order to solve their trouble of heart diseases.

CABG improves long-term health of the heart in patients who are suffering from stenosis of the left main coronary artery. It is also very helpful for patients who have severe stenosis in multiple arteries and those who are suffering from debilitation of heart-muscle pump function.

A graft, which is a common blood vessel, created to clear a blocked artery, is attached above and below the area within the blocked artery so that the blood flow can be diverted to the new, unblocked path, and hence blood flows freely to the heart. The graft is usually taken from an internal mammary artery of the chest, or the veins of the leg. The traditional operation requires a six to eight inch incision down the center of the breastbone so the surgeon can reach the heart directly. During the surgery, the body is connected to a heart-lung bypass machine that keeps the blood flowing so that circulation of blood to other parts of the body is not hampered. The heart is stopped while the doctor conducts the operation and special wires are used to close the chest.

Candidates

Cardiac Bypass Surgery in India is indicated:

• When the number, location, and extent of coronary artery stenosis (occlusions) present a significant risk of heart attack to the patient.
• During or immediately after a heart attack to attempt to salvage damaged heart muscle. 

Expected Results

• CABG surgery quite is helpful in relieving angina
• The surgery improves long-term survival of patients suffering from low heart muscle pump function or stenosis of left main coronary or multiple arteries.  

Recovery

The patient recovers in a surgical intensive care unit for one to two days after the surgery. Drugs are prescribed to control pain and to prevent unwanted blood clotting. One can resume a normal routine on the third day, including eating regular food, sitting up, and walking around a bit. Full recovery from coronary artery bypass graft surgery takes about 6 to 8 weeks.

Time & Cost

A stay of 7-9 days in the hospital, including 2 days stay at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of close monitoring, immediately after the surgery is required. A stay of two weeks in India is required for Open heart bypass surgery or CABG . Most patients are fully functional in six to eight weeks.

Patient Testimonials

Heart Surgery in India with the Best Heart surgeons in India : Zambian Patients Treatment India

Heart Patient from Zambia : Heart Surgery in India , Best Heart Hospital in India

Cost of Heart or Cardiac Bypass surgery in India

Approximate, all inclusive cost of open heart or cardiac bypass surgery (CABG )in India starts from 330,000 INR (approx.USD 5,500) and varies depending on the facility & city you chose to get the procedure done. 

MedWorld India Affiliated Best Heart Hospitals in India offer: - The ultimate destination for international patients who want World Best, Affordable Heart Surgery

·         Latest and best available techniques globally like Robotic Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Valve & coronary Heart Bypass Surgery, Primary and complex Coronary Angioplasties and Stenting. Percutaneous Valvular interventions including aortic valve replacement need a special mention.

·         Many of the world's finest heart hospitals are located in India with 98-99 % success rate for most procedures.

·         Cost of Surgery just 1/6th of cost in USA, UK or Europe with finest quality implants, prosthesis and consumables imported from Leading International Companies.

·         The highly trained team of Electrophysiologists have tremendous experience in doing all kind of radiofrequency ablations, device implantations, electrophysiology studies, and pacemaker and resynchronization therapy.

·         Computer Navigation Surgery System for excellent outcomes and use of finest quality implants, prosthesis and consumables imported from Leading International Companies.

·         Specialized Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation services for quick rehabilitation after cardiac surgery in India.

·         India’s leading hospital for children’s heart surgeries performs almost 3 times as many surgeries as Children’s Hospital, Boston, the leading children’s hospital in the USA

Robot Assisted Heart Procedures are done to treat a variety of conditions: Robotic Heart Surgery in India

In addition to avoiding the pain and trauma of sternotomy and rib spreading, robotic mitral valve repair may provide patients with the following benefits over open surgery:

• Less risk of infection

• Less blood loss and need for blood transfusions

• Shorter hospital stay

• Significantly less pain and scarring

• Faster recovery

• Quicker return to normal activities

• And a potentially better clinical outcome

What is the Mitral Valve?

What is Mitral Valve Prolapse?
Mitral Valve Prolapse Treatment Options
Valve Replacement  - In valve replacement, your surgeon cuts out the damaged valve and replaces it with a new, artificial valve.
Valve Repair  - Valve repair involves the surgeon reconstructing your valve using your own tissues.

• Stenosis (narrowing) of the mitral valve

• Regurgitation (leakage) of the mitral valve

• Blockages in the heart's arteries

• Severe chest pain ( angina ) that has not improved with medicines

                 

Please note that not all patients are candidates for robotic surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with the most appropriate treatment option after thoroughly assessing your condition.

The mitral valve controls blood flow through the left side of the heart. When it opens, the mitral valve allows blood to flow into the left ventricle, the heart’s main pumping chamber. When the left ventricle contracts, the mitral valve closes in order to prevent blood from flowing back toward the lungs.

Sometimes the mitral valve is abnormal from birth. It can also become damaged by infection, with age or from heart disease.

If the mitral valve leaflets cannot tightly seal the left ventricle, this is called prolapse. With mitral valve prolapse, some blood flows back into the atrium – a condition called regurgitation. Regurgitation can make the heart work harder, leading to further valve damage and increasing the risk of heart failure.

The treatment options available to a person with mitral valve prolapse depend on the severity of your condition. Some patients may not require any intervention. Others may be prescribed medications. However, if your symptoms become severe, your doctor may recommend mitral valve prolapse surgery. There are two basic types of valve prolapse surgery:

Robot Assisted Heart Procedures are done to treat a variety of conditions:

1. Robot Assisted Mitral Valve Repair may be used to treat:

2. Robot Assisted Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) may be used to treat

3. Robot-assisted Atrial Septal defect repair may be used to treat a hole between the upper chambers of the heart that does not close properly during foetal development.

4. Robot-assisted Biventricular Pacemaker lead placement may be used to treat heart failure due to Atrial Fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm in the upper chambers of the heart)

For more information visit:          http://www.medworldindia.com        

Please scan and email your medical reports  to us at care@medworldindia.com and we shall get you a Free Medical Opinion from India’s Best Doctors.

Call Us : +91-9811058159

Mail Us : care@medworldindia.com

Affordable Pediatric Heart Surgery in India at Best Cardiac Hospitals with Top Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons

Paediatric Heart Surgery in India with the Best Paediatric Heart surgeons in India is what you would want if your little one is suffering from any heart ailment. MedWorld India affiliate Paediatric heart surgeons in India are among the top paediatric heart specialists and offer best in paediatric heart care. Affordable Pediatric Heart Surgery in India at Best Cardiac Hospitals with Top Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons in India with MedWorld India.
There are a number of Pediatric Cardiology Surgeries such as balloon atrial septostomy, Valvuloplasty/Angioplasty, Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Ventricular Septal Defect and Atrial Septal Defect, Tetralogy of Fallot, Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return, Double Outlet Right Ventricle etc. The major ones are:

Balloon Atrial Septostomy (BAS) : This technique, also known as the Rashkind procedure used for enlarging a hole between the right atrium and the left atrium. It is often used to manage patients with transposition of the great arteries. Here the larger hole improves oxygenation of the blood.

Valvuloplasty/Angioplasty : Valvuloplasty is that process where a small balloon is inserted and inflated for stretching and opening a narrowed (stenosed) heart valve. On the other hand, angioplasty is a non-surgical process which can be used for opening blocked heart arteries.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus : This is a kind of defect in infants where vessel (the ductus arteriosus) fails to close soon after birth which results in abnormal blood flow, between the pulmonary artery and aorta, which takes the blood from the heart to the lungs and to the rest of the body. To treat it, an incision is made under the chest through which tubes are inserted to regulate the flow of blood supply.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) : Both of these are congenital defects. In ASD, the wall that separates the upper heart chambers (atria) does not close completely. The surgery here involves a placement of an ASD device into the heart through catheters, which is inserted by making a tiny incision in the groin area. While in VSD, happens at the time of birth. It is explained as one or more holes in the wall that separates the right and left ventricle of the heart. In pre-natal stages, the right and left ventricles of a heart are not separate. As the fetus grows, a wall is formed for separating the two ventricles but if the wall does not form completely, a hole remains. This can be treated by inserting cardiac catheterization.

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) : Another congenital heart defect, it is a constellation of four abnormalities, which result in insufficient oxygen in the blood. In this case, a surgery is needed for restoring these defects which are caused, main; paid at the time when the infant is young.

 Heart Surgery in India with the Best Heart surgeons in India is what medical tourists coming to India look for and is delivered at best cardiac hospitals in India . No other destination in the world can match the unparalleled clinical excellence, technology infrastructure and cost advantage offered by MedWorld India affiliated heart hospitals in India to deliver 99 percent and above successful outcomes for heart surgery.

Our aim is to reduce the deadly consequences of cardiovascular diseases through innovative therapies for patient care. Our healthcare professionals at state of the art, heart specialty hospitals have a dedicated team of Cardiac surgeons and cardiologists who work in tandem to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to patients suffering from heart ailments.

MedWorld India Affiliated Best Heart Hospitals in India offer: - The ultimate destination for international patients who want World Best, Affordable Heart Surgery

• Latest and best available techniques globally like Robotic Heart Surgery, Minimally Invasive Valve & coronary Heart Bypass Surgery, Primary and complex Coronary Angioplasties and Stenting. Percutaneous Valvular interventions including aortic valve replacement need a special mention..
• Many of the world's finest heart hospitals are located in India with 98-99 % success rate for most procedures.
• Cost of Surgery just 1/6th of cost in USA, UK or Europe with finest quality implants, prosthesis and consumables imported from Leading International Companies.
• The highly trained team of Electrophysiologists have tremendous experience in doing all kind of radiofrequency ablations, device implantations, electrophysiology studies, and pacemaker and resynchronization therapy.
• Computer Navigation Surgery System for excellent outcomes and use of finest quality implants, prosthesis and consumables imported from Leading International Companies.
• Specialized Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation services for quick rehabilitation after cardiac surgery in India.
• India’s leading hospital for children’s heart surgeries performs almost 3 times as many surgeries as Children’s Hospital, Boston, the leading children’s hospital in the USA

Paediatric Cardiology Surgery
Procedure Name	Hospital Stay	Charges In (USD)
		Single Room	Double Room
BT Shunt / PA plasty on bypass / Surgical atrial septectomy	9	6700	5600
ASD / PAPVR / GLENN / VSD /TOF / PAVC /DORV	10	7500	6200
All Re-do cases / CAVC / FONTAN	14	10,400	8600
All cases 3 months old / Arteial Switch Operation / Truncus Arteriosis	21	15,600	13,200
CoA / Simple Vascular Ring / Pacemaker Insertion	7	3900	2800
Systematic - Pulmonary Artery SHUNTS	9	5700	5000
Cases 3 months old/ Shunts/PAB/ Unifocalization/CoA/ Complex Rings	12	7100	6100
Ballon Atrial Septostomy (BAS)	3	3200	2500
Valvuloplasty / Angioplasty	3	4700	3700
PDA Device closure	3	6300	5000
ASD /VSD Device closure	3	10,900	8600

Hospitals in India have a success rate of between 98 to 99% for heart surgery in India.

Sometimes heart surgery in children is required for repairing defects in the heart which a child might have born with (known as congenital heart defects) and heart diseases which he gets after birth, which require surgery. Pediatric Cardiac Surgery deals with operative procedures in the newborn and unborn children and youngsters suffering from cardiac dysfunctions, structural, functional and rhythm-related issues of the heart also.

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery often deals with heart problems in children, the cause of congenital heart diseases which are common heart ailments among new born children and involves deficiencies like structural defects, congenital arrythmias and cardiomyopathies, which result in different kinds of abnormalities related to the heart. Congenital heart disease is a cause of improper growth of the heart or blood vessels before birth.

Pediatric Cardiology Facilities

The Paediatric cardiology department of any hospital offers all non-invasive diagnostic and paediatric cardiac interventional services. The diagnostic modalities are inclusive of foetal echocardiography, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, round the clock Holter, CT and MR angiography as well as diagnostic cardiac catheterisation. Cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, anesthesiologists and other specialists work closely together to care for newborn as well as unborn children suffering from cardio-vascular disorders who provide exceptional pre and post operative services.

Pediatric heart surgery in India is performed by specialized cardiac surgeons who are known internationally for their medical expertise. The level of education and expertise of the cardiac surgeons and medical staff in India is very high and their extra ordinary performance has become a daily routine for them. As a result, their expertise and capabilities are frequently sought after on a world-wide scale. Significant efforts in quality management, accreditations and national and international benchmarking are employed to maintain and even further improve quality of care in India. Exceptionally short waiting time for surgeon’s consultations, short waiting lists for surgeries, direct access to surgeon’s and the outstanding medical results has pushed India into the top position for pediatric heart surgery.

Pediatric heart surgery often deals with cases of congenital heart disease. Congenital heart disease is a common heart ailment among new born children and involves deficiencies like structural defects, congenital arrythmias and cardiomyopathies. This leads to different kinds of abnormalities related to theheart. Congenital heart disease is a cause of improper growth of the heart or blood vessels before birth. Pediatric heart surgery deals with operative procedures dealing with newborn and unborn children and youngsters suffering from cardiac dysfunctions.

Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery in India

There are a number of Pediatric Cardiology Surgeries such as balloon atrial septostomy, Valvuloplasty/Angioplasty, Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Ventricular Septal Defect and Atrial Septal Defect, Tetralogy of Fallot, Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return, Double Outlet Right Ventricle etc. The major ones are:

Balloon Atrial Septostomy (BAS) : This technique, also known as the Rashkind procedure used for enlarging a hole between the right atrium and the left atrium. It is often used to manage patients with transposition of the great arteries. Here the larger hole improves oxygenation of the blood.

Valvuloplasty/Angioplasty : Valvuloplasty is that process where a small balloon is inserted and inflated for stretching and opening a narrowed (stenosed) heart valve. On the other hand, angioplasty is a non-surgical process which can be used for opening blocked heart arteries.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus : This is a kind of defect in infants where vessel (the ductus arteriosus) fails to close soon after birth which results in abnormal blood flow, between the pulmonary artery and aorta, which takes the blood from the heart to the lungs and to the rest of the body. To treat it, an incision is made under the chest through which tubes are inserted to regulate the flow of blood supply.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD) : Both of these are congenital defects. In ASD, the wall that separates the upper heart chambers (atria) does not close completely. The surgery here involves a placement of an ASD device into the heart through catheters, which is inserted by making a tiny incision in the groin area. While in VSD, happens at the time of birth. It is explained as one or more holes in the wall that separates the right and left ventricle of the heart. In pre-natal stages, the right and left ventricles of a heart are not separate. As the fetus grows, a wall is formed for separating the two ventricles but if the wall does not form completely, a hole remains. This can be treated by inserting cardiac catheterization.

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) : Another congenital heart defect, it is a constellation of four abnormalities, which result in insufficient oxygen in the blood. In this case, a surgery is needed for restoring these defects which are caused, main; paid at the time when the infant is young.

Cost of HeartSurgery in India.

The cost of heart surgery in India is perhaps the lowest in the world Some comparisons show that patients in the USA can save 90 per cent of the treatment cost by having their heart surgery in India. The cost of heart treatment in India is also very much cheaper compared with Thailand, Singapore, etc which also attract medical tourists.

Hospitals in India have a success rate of between 98 to 99% for heart surgery in India Heart surgery in India is performed by cardiac surgeons of great experience, in terms of both number of surgeries, diversity of procedures and complexity of heart conditions This experience is built on top of the outstanding academic qualifications of heart surgeons in India.

India’s hospitals have world-class cardiac catheterisation labs for diagnosis of heart diseases and performance of angiograms and angioplasties They also have state-of-the-art operation theatres that enable safe and successful heart surgery in India.”

For more information visit:          http://www.medworldindia.com    
                    https://www.facebook.com/medworld.india

Please scan and email your medical reports  to us at care@medworldindia.com and we shall get you a Free Medical Opinion from India’s Best Doctors.

Call Us : +91-9811058159

Mail Us : care@medworldindia.com

How common are congenital heart defects?

Q. How common are congenital heart defects?

A. Congenital birth defects comprise the single most common category of birth defects in world. In fact, one in 100 live births is affected by some form of congenital heart defect.

Q. What are some common congenital heart defects?

A. Atrial and ventricular septal defects are holes in the heart which affect the blood supply out of the heart. Patent ductus arteriosus, a common defect in premature infants, occurs when blood flows between the aorta and the pulmonary artery through an open passageway which normally closes within a few hours of birth. Pulmonary, aortic and subaortic stenosis and coarctation of the aorta are obstructions which restrict blood supply to the rest of the body. Tetrology of Fallot has four components, a ventricular septal defect (VSD), pulmonary valve stenosis, an abnormally muscular right ventricle and the placement of the aorta directly above the VSD. Common acquired diseases include cardiomyopathy, or heart muscle abnormalities, viral myocarditis and arrhythmias.

Q. How are these defects diagnosed?

A. Pediatric cardiologists use sophisticated, non-invasive imaging technology to assess, diagnose and monitor a variety of cardiac problems in pediatric patients such as transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Fetal echocardiography helps physicians to detect and monitor malformations during pregnancy which facilitates appropriate prenatal care and early intervention.

Q. What are some of the treatments?

A. Technological advances in non-surgical interventions such as catheter-based treatments for closing atrial and ventricular septal defects have enabled physicians to treat a variety of congenital heart defects early in the course of the disease and in many cases, without surgery. Other interventions include coil occlusion of patent ductus arteriosis and systemic arteries, stenting and balloon dilation of obstructed pulmonary and venous pathways, and radiofrequency ablation of arrhythmias.

Q. How is surgery performed on pediatric patients?

A. Minimally invasive surgical techniques which have been used widely in adult cardiac surgery are now being applied to infants and children with results that are comparable to standard procedures. These techniques avoid the traditional splitting of the breastbone characteristic of standard open-heart surgery by performing the surgery through a much smaller incision through the ribs, sparing patients the pain and trauma of open-chest surgery. This approach speeds recovery so that children can return to school and play much sooner, often within a week after open heart surgery.

For more information visit:          http://www.medworldindia.com      
                    https://www.facebook.com/medworld.india

Please scan and email your medical reports  to us at care@medworldindia.com and we shall get you a Free Medical Opinion from India’s Best Doctors.

Call Us : +91-9811058159

Mail Us : care@medworldindia.com

Estimated Costs for Pediatric Cardiac Surgery / Treatment at World Class Hospital in India

A successful cardiac surgery in children requires an expert medical team - doctors, nurses, and other support staff - who are experienced in such surgeries, can promptly recognize problems and emerging side effects, and know how to react swiftly and properly if problems do arise. A cardiac surgery program will also recognize the importance of providing patients and their families with emotional and psychological support before, during and after the surgery, and will make personal and other support systems readily available to families for this purpose. We make this difficult journey easy for the patient and his relatives.

Paediatric surgeries deal with the correction of abnormalities present in the heart of new-borns, infants or children. Most of the defects are present since birth (congenital). They all come under the category of congenital heart defects. Some are present since birth but cause symptoms after a few years and some cause symptoms immediately after birth.

Major Types of Cardiac Defects in Children :

Any defect in the septum or valves or position of arteries causes mixing of pure and impure blood or reduced blood supply to the body. If the defect is severe it is incompatible with life and requires immediate surgical intervention. Circulation of impure blood in the body results in bluish discoloration of the body called cyanosis. The tissues do not receive adequate amount of oxygen and hence cannot function.

The major cardiac defects include

•       Atrial Septal Defect
•       Ventricular Septal Defect,
•       Fallot’s Tetralogy
•       Valvular defects

   Approximately 25000-30000 children per year are affected by these defects. The paediatric surgeries deal with correction of these malformations.

1

    ASD- Atrial Septal Defect refers to a hole in the septum that separates the right and left atrium. This results in mixing of pure and impure blood.

Depending on the size of the defect, the symptoms may range from no symptoms to bluish discoloration of the body, increase pulmonary blood pressure and irregular cardiac contractions (arrhythmias).

It is corrected by open heart surgery. The sternum is split in the midline. Arterial and double venous (superior vena cava and inferior vena cava) vessels are clamped. By applying cardiopulmonary bypass (heart lung machine), the aorta is clamped, and the heart is temporarily paralyzed by a solution. The right atrium is opened and the defect is sutured.

At our world class hospitals in India, minimally invasive approaches to the repair of ASD have now been developed.  In most cases, the size of the incision is simply decreased with different approaches to cardiopulmonary bypass. Examples include partial or full submammary skin incision, hemisternotomy, and limited thoracotomy. The goal is to improve cosmetic results because these approaches are not associated with decreased morbidity or mortality.

In recent times, ASD have been closed by using a variety of catheter-implanted occlusion devices rather than by direct surgical closure with cardiopulmonary bypass. These devices are placed through a femoral venous approach and are deployed like an umbrella to seal the septal defect. These devices work best for centrally located secundum defects.

Our cardiologist with congenital experience will continue patient care to monitor for recurrence of the shunt and to ensure that the patient has returned to normal activities and cardiac function.

     Ventricular Septal Defect  - is a hole in the wall between the right and left ventricles of the heart. This abnormality usually develops before birth and is found most often in infants. A ventricular septal defect can allow newly oxygenated blood to flow from the left ventricle, where the pressures are higher, to the right ventricle, where the pressures are lower, and mix with un-oxygenated blood. The mixed blood in the right ventricle flows back or recirculates into the lungs. This means that the right and left ventricles are working harder, pumping a greater volume of blood than they normally would. Eventually, the left ventricle can work so hard that it starts to fail. It can no longer pump blood as well as it did. Blood returning to the heart from the blood vessels backs up into the lungs, causing pulmonary congestion, and further backup into the body, causing weight gain and fluid retention. If the VSD is large and surgically uncorrected, pressure can build excessively in the lungs, resulting in pulmonary hypertension. The higher the pulmonary pressure, greater the chances of blood flowing from the right ventricle to the left ventricle, backwards, causing un-oxygenated blood to be pumped to the body resulting in cyanosis (blue skin). The risk for these problems depends on the size of the hole in the septum and how well the infant’s lungs function.

Small VSDs’ are symptomless and closed spontaneously as the child grows. The large VSDs’ cause symptoms like difficulty in breathing and feeding, poor growth and pallor. The symptoms occur due to the increase in size of the right ventricle (right ventricular hypertrophy) and increase in pressure inside the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).

Two types of surgeries are available -

a) Intra-Cardiac Technique – the patient is attached to an external heart-lung machine (which performs circulatory and respiratory function during surgery). It is an open heart surgery in which the patient is placed under general anaesthesia. The rib cage is cut open in the midline. The heart is directly accessed and the defect is sutured.

                        

   b) Trans- Catheter Technique – Surgical instruments are passed through the catheter which is inserted in the femoral artery at the groin. The catheter is slowly guided up towards the point of defect to close it. It is a successful surgery.

                        With the separation of ventricles normal circulation resumes. The enlarged heart comes back to normal size. Pulmonary artery pressure reduces. The child’s growth fastens. The prognosis is excellent.

     FALLOT’S TETRALOGY: it is the most common congenital heart defect in children. The defect results in mixing of pure and impure blood.

It comprises a combination of four defects- right ventricular hypertrophy (increase in the size of right lower chamber), ventricular septal defect (whole in the wall between the two ventricles), abnormal position of aorta (aorta is on right side of heart instead of the left) and pulmonary stenosis (narrowing of pulmonary valve opening which prevents outflow of blood from right ventricle).

Two major surgeries help to correct these abnormalities.

Blalock- Taussig’s operation is a palliative procedure performed in smaller infants to increase blood flow to lungs and to allow the child to grow big enough to withstand the corrective surgery. A connection is made between right subclavian artery and pulmonary artery to pass more oxygenated blood to the latter. This relieves the cyanosis to a great extent.

The total corrective surgery is performed in children within 2 years of age. VSD is closed with a patch and the narrowed pulmonary valve is opened. The outcome of surgery is favourable and most children lead a healthy life after the surgery with minimum restrictions. 

     Double valve repair and replacement- valves are openings between two chambers and also between a chamber and artery which allows unidirectional flow of blood. The patency of these valves is very important for normal flow of blood. The function of mitral valve (between left atrium and left ventricle) and the aortic valve (between left ventricle and aorta) is very important. If these valves get narrowed, the amount of blood passing from left atrium to left ventricle (mitral valve) or from left ventricle to aorta (aortic valve) is drastically reduced. In this case the heart will pump blood harder to push it through the narrowed valves. But the blood will tend to go upwards back into the pulmonary vein and finally to the lungs. This will cause excess blood in the lungs leading to congestion. At the same time very less blood will come out into the aorta from the left ventricle which will result in reduced blood and oxygen supply to all the body parts.

5.     

Double valve repair and replacement procedure aims at correcting or replacing these both these damaged valves (aortic & mitral together) with new functional valves.  This is done through the open heart surgery. The patient is put under general anaesthesia and connected to the heart lung machine. This machine takes over the pumping, circulatory, and respiratory functions of the heart and lung till the surgical procedure is going on. The valves are accessed by cutting open the rib cage and accessing the heart directly. The old valves are sliced from their attachments and new valves are put in their place. The new valves may be obtained from a cadaveric donor, or an animal (pig) or it may be made of a nonreactive inert material. The patient needs to be given anticoagulants or immunosuppressive to clotting of blood or rejection of organ. The prognosis of this surgery is good. It is many a time a life-saving and life extending surgery.

Estimated Costs for  Heart Surgery/ Treatment  at World Class Hospital in India

Open Heart Surgery + Angiography – 7000  US Dollars

Open Heart Surgery + Angiography + Conduit -   13500 US Dollars

Closed Heart Surgery + Angiography + Shunt – 7800 US Dollars

Valvuloplasty -  2300 US Dollars

PDA Device Closure – 6900 US Dollars