At the time of her diagnosis, the patient complained of weakness which prevented her from completing her everyday work
INVC NEWS
Gurugram,
A 25-year-old international patient from Yemen was rushed to India after being diagnosed with a thoracic aneurysm, and was successfully treated at Fortis Memorial Research Institute by a team of doctors led by Dr Udgeath Dhir, Director and Head, CTVS, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram. The condition which had claimed the lives of four of her siblings in Yemen, was corrected via an intensive and lifesaving procedure – Thoracic Endovascular Repair (TEVAR)
At the time of her diagnosis, the patient complained of weakness which prevented her from completing her everyday work. When she was medically evaluated, it was found that she was suffering from a large thoracic aortic aneurysm (fatality rate of 75%). On presentation at Fortis, the pain had started affecting her back because the aorta which supplied blood to her spine had ruptured. After a thorough medical examination, it was determined that a thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) procedure needed to be performed.
Dr Udgeath Dhir, Director and Head, CTVS, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram said, “The aorta is the pipe which supplies the blood to the whole body from the heart. In this case, there were multiple ruptures in the aorta, and it was dilated to the size of 8.1 cm (normal value of 3 to 3.5 cm). A complex dissection involving the arteries which supply blood to the stomach as well were affected. There was a chance that the patient would become paralyzed due to shortage of blood supply involving the spinal arteries. To prevent this continuous spinal pressure was monitored and spinal fluid was drained as required.”
He added, “It was a tricky situation due to the complex anatomy of dissection and aneurysm. We did an endovascular repair by minimal invasive approach. A successful thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) procedure involves a meticulous preoperative planning regarding the precise size of the endograft (a device which is placed inside the thoracic portion of the aorta to provide support to the weakened artery), its length, and its relation to critical branch vessels. Now the patient is being discharged. She is in a stable and healthy condition with no complication.”
Ritu Garg, Zonal Director, Fortis Memorial Research Institute said, “Pandemic and border restrictions on travel should not refrain the sick from receiving best medical treatment. When we got to know of the critical condition of this patient, prompt efforts were made by the embassies and doctors to help save the patient’s life. Fortis Hospital, Gurugram is a center of excellence for all cardiac issues and is equipped with best talent pool and technology to treat the patients with best outcomes. I congratulate the team of doctors and staff for their dedicated efforts in successfully treating the patient.”
An aortic aneurysm is defined as a localized dilatation involving all three layers of the aorta. Thoracic aortic aneurysms in young patients are usually associated with connective tissue disorders and can lead to aortic regurgitation, rupture, and acute dissection.
