Ranchi: Doctors at the cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS) department of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (Rims) performed a high-risk open-heart surgery on a 55-year-old Hazaribag resident, saving his life, hospital authorities said on Thursday. The procedure was conducted free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.The patient had been suffering from high fever, breathlessness, palpitations and severe swelling in his legs for several months. Medical examinations revealed severe aortic regurgitation, a condition in which the aortic valve fails to close properly, leading to heart failure. His liver and kidney functions were also significantly impaired.According to Rims, the patient’s heart was functioning at only around 20% of its capacity, while fluid had accumulated around his heart and lungs. He was placed on high-flow oxygen support before doctors, acting on echocardiography and cardiac CT findings, decided to perform emergency surgery.The surgical materials required for the procedure were provided free of cost through Amrit Pharmacy under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the hospital said.During the operation, surgeons replaced the damaged aortic valve with an artificial one. The patient is now stable, with significant improvement in the functioning of his heart, kidneys, liver and lungs.The removed valve has been sent for laboratory examination to ascertain the underlying cause of the disease, the hospital added.The surgery was conducted under the guidance of CTVS department head Dr Pankaj Bodra and led by Dr Rakesh Chaudhary, with assistance from the cardiac anaesthesia and intensive care teams.
