Patna: A 60-year-old street vendor from Begusarai, suffering from an exceptionally rare and potentially fatal combination of a heart tumour and severe coronary artery disease, has been successfully treated at IGIMS, Patna. The hospital claimed that only three such cases have so far been reported in Indian medical literature.The patient was diagnosed with a left atrial (LA) myxoma, a tumour inside the heart, along with severe coronary artery disease involving blockages in the heart arteries. He was also suffering from diabetes and asthma. Doctors said the combination is extremely rare, occurring in fewer than 0.5 cases per million people globally, and can significantly increase the risk of sudden cardiac death, stroke and major heart attacks.The patient had approached several hospitals after experiencing severe chest pain, breathlessness and recurrent fainting spells. “Given his financial condition, the complex procedure, which could have cost around Rs4-5 lakh at a private hospital, was carried out free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana,” said cardiothoracic and vascular surgery head Dr Sheil Avneesh.A six-hour surgery was performed on Aug 6 by the cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS) team. Doctors removed the tumour and performed three bypass grafts to restore blood flow to the heart. A heart-lung machine was used during the procedure, while multiple units of blood and blood products were transfused to maintain the patient’s stability.According to official information from the hospital, the patient’s recovery has been remarkably quick. He was taken off the ventilator within two hours of being shifted to the CTVS ICU and was able to take food orally the same evening. By the next day, he was mobile and walking.“The patient is doing well and is recovering satisfactorily. He is stable and will be discharged on Wednesday,” Dr Avneesh said.
