In a remarkable achievement in neonatal cardiac care, doctors at Command Hospital, Pune, have successfully treated a newborn suffering from a complex congenital heart defect through a series of highly specialised procedures, including corrective open-heart surgery and advanced life support. The baby was born in an unstable condition and required urgent medical intervention due to a severe congenital heart abnormality.

Initial procedure

Initially, a team of paediatric cardiologists performed a cardiac catheterisation procedure involving Balloon Atrial Septostomy (BAS) and Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) stenting to stabilise the newborn and improve blood circulation ahead of corrective surgery, hospital authorities said. Subsequently, the cardiothoracic surgical team performed a complex corrective procedure known as an arterial switch operation, along with the extraction of the previously placed stent and closure of an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). The surgery aimed to correct the underlying structural abnormalities and restore normal blood circulation.