One of the rare Congenital Heart Diseases, undiagnosed for 45 years, successfully treated at SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals, Gurugram

• Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC), a rare congenital cardiac defect, where the blood flows to the right atrium instead of the left atrium.
• In rarest of rare cases, the usual ASD associated with this anomaly was missing.
• The ASD was manually created by surgeons and cow pericardium was used to build the tunnel from RSPV to the ASD
• Patient was also suffering from Bronchial asthma, which could have added to the severity.

Delay in the treatment of congenital heart disease results in restricted growth and multiple health issues in adult age, but in one of the rare cardiac cases treated at SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals, it was found that the patient’s congenital heart disease was undiagnosed for more than 45 years until at the age of 48 years when he started experiencing severe breathlessness. 

Recently 48 years old Mr. Hilal from Iraq visited SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals with complaints of severe Breathlessness on Exertion (BOE). After evaluation, the reports suggested that he had a rare birth defect of heart called Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection (PAPVC). His condition was rarest of rare and is found in less than one in a million new born children, surprisingly, it went undiagnosed during his childhood and a large part of his adult life. 

The usual Concomitant ASD found in the heart with this anomaly, was missing in his heart. Adding to the rarity of the case, he was also suffering from Bronchial Asthma, and the Right Superior Pulmonary Vein (RSPV) which connects lungs to the left heart could have affected his respiratory system as well. The same condition could have also led to increased chances of prolonged ICU stay post-surgery. His condition was worsening with every passing day and immediate surgery was the only solution to improve his health.

Under the experienced supervision of Dr. Akhil Govil, Director and HOD, Cardiac Surgery, a surgery was planned with all the necessary precautions considering his health condition and other associated co-morbidities. The Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) was manually created by surgeons and cow pericardium was used to create the tunnel from RSPV to ASD. The entire procedure was performed in 5 long hours with an uneventful post-operative recovery of the patient. 

Dr. Akhil Govil, Director and HOD, Cardiac Surgery, SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals said, “Our heart is one of the most delicate and vital organs of our body and any minor defect can turn out to be life threatening, if not treated and managed in time. Mr. Hilal’s condition was discovered at a very late stage and could have proved to be fatal at any point of his life. The day Mr. Hilal reported in our hospital his condition was very severe, and if the procedure was not done timely, the breathlessness could have created unbearable pressure on his heart with every passing day, which could have led to further worsening of his condition. Now Mr. Hilal can continue with his daily routine work with timely follow-ups and healthy lifestyle. It is indeed very satisfying to see a patient regain his normal life after a successful surgery.”

Sharing his happiness Mr. Hilal, said, “We had complete faith in the medical and surgical team of SHALBY Sanar International Hospitals, Gurugram. A big thank you to all the doctors and staff at the hospital for giving me a new lease of life.”