The largest healthcare network in Eastern India, Manipal Hospitals, performed Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (TEVAR) on Mr. Rabindra Kumar Sarkar, a 72-year-old patient with diabetes and hypertension, marking a revolutionary milestone in cardiac care. This was done under the direction of Dr. Shubhabrata Banerjee, a consultant vascular surgeon, and Dr. Kaushik Mukherjee, head of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS). A rare bulge in the major blood vessel (aorta) inside the chest was found to be dangerously close to important arteries that supply blood to the arms and brain by CT total aortography. This makes the condition potentially fatal and treatment extremely complicated. His persistent hoarseness was caused by an aneurysm, a bulge that was pressing against a nerve that controls the voice box. This unusual condition is known as Ortner’s Syndrome or Cardio-vocal syndrome. It only affects 1% to 3% of cases in India, making it one of the rarest cases.

The procedure known as Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (TEVAR) is used to treat abnormal blood vessel bulging, typically in the aorta. The case of Mr. Sarkar was challenging because the aneurysm was discovered in a sensitive location in the descending thoracic aorta, immediately after the left subclavian artery, which is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the upper limbs (arms), as well as parts of the neck and head. This location is close to major arteries that supply blood to the brain and arms.

The successful deployment of the stent graft without the need for open-heart surgery or additional bypass, despite the high-risk location, is evidence of the advanced capabilities and surgical planning of the team of clinicians at Manipal Hospital in Dhakuria. Crucial vessels were unaffected, and the aneurysm was sealed. Most significantly, the patient underwent surgery on May 26, 2025, and was released two days later.

Manipal Hospital is unique not only because of its size but also because of its real-time response capabilities. With more than 500 critical care beds, 75 skilled cardiologists, 15 highly qualified cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons (CTVS), and seven state-of-the-art Cath Labs spread across all of its units in Kolkata, the hospitals are prepared to handle any situation, including collapses during stenting procedures or post-operative complications. In-house experts and emergency teams are available around the clock to ensure that life-saving decisions are made without delay. It performs over 3,000 cardiac surgeries and over 30,000 cardiac procedures annually.

Priyanka Dutta