Hyderabad: Doctors at Care Hospital in Hyderabad have performed a heart procedure on a foetus of a 25-year-old woman, in what is claimed to be India’s first foetal heart procedure.
A team of eight doctors led by K. Nageshwar Rao, chief pediatric cardiologist, said the procedure was performed in the 27th week of pregnancy.
The foetus was diagnosed with severe obstruction in the aortic valve, which was resulting in failure of the left ventricle to pump blood to the body. It was also showing further damage in the form of leakage of mitral valve and shrinkage of heart chambers in the left side.
The two-and-half hour long procedure was carried by a 30-member medical team after importing special needles. The doctor said specific sized balloons were manufactured.
The doctors were not successful in their first attempt in the 26th week due to unfavourable foetal position.
With an appropriate balloon and wire, the aortic valve was dilated to relieve the valve block.
Doctors claimed that the baby has become almost normal. “We have reduced 99 per cent blockage to 60 per cent, which is enough to help normal development of left ventricle,” Rao said.
Doctors said if another balloon dilatation is required it will be done after birth.
