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Rare heart surgery performed in MIOT hospitals
By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI JULY 25. A rare redo heart surgery, in which the coronary artery was re-implanted and the arch of aorta and the aortic valve replaced, was successfully performed at MIOT hospitals recently.

V.V. Bashi, chairman – Centre for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Care, who led the team, told presspersons here today that the surgery was high-risk with a 50 per cent chance of survival. The 45-year-old patient Firthouse, who underwent an aortic valve replacement by an open-heart operation six years ago, was airlifted from Colombo following advise from doctors there.

MIOT hospitals performed 15 aneurysm surgeries so far but this one was a challenge because it involved replacements, and supply of blood to the brain. “Aneurysm is a condition where the aorta dilates and appears like a balloon that could rupture, leading to instant death. Aorta supplies blood to the various parts of the body”, he said.

The eight-hour operation was performed after the patient was connected to the heart-lung machine. A vein and an artery from the thigh were connected to the machine and the blood was cooled to 18 degree C. Blood supply to the brain was stopped to enable the surgery.

The operation was done 10 days ago and the patient would be discharged on Monday.

Mr. Firthouse will be returning to Sri Lanka next week.