A one-month-old infant with severe respiratory distress was taken to the emergency room of the Narayana Hospital, RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, in a critical state. The infant needed mechanical ventilation later on and oxygen support initially. The tiny patient was diagnosed with a rare and difficult congenital cardiac disease, but a skilled hospital team sprang into action and saved her life.

A thorough examination that included a CT pulmonary angiogram identified the uncommon birth defect known as Hemibruncus, which is characterized by a dysplastic tricuspid valve and a right pulmonary artery that arises from the aorta rather than the pulmonary artery. Severe pulmonary arterial hypertension added another layer of complexity to the infant’s condition. The hospital’s skilled team’s immediate and life-saving response transformed what appeared to be an insurmountable obstacle into a story of hope.

The multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Sukanta Behara, Senior Consultant in Cardiac Surgery at Narayana Hospital, RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, took on the task of executing tricuspid valve and Hemitruncus repairs.

The patient had to overcome many obstacles during her 30-day hospital stay after the five to six-hour procedure. Following surgery, the baby developed pulmonary artery hypertensive crises, which required rigorous physical therapy, nitric oxide therapy, pulmonary vasodilators, and continuous breathing support to prevent further lung collapses.

The baby experienced cardiac arrest during the extubation process on day 14, necessitating rapid CPR and reintubation. Despite these difficulties, the patient was gradually taken off of the ventilator by the clinical team, who also used extensive physiotherapy and optimal medication to stabilize her condition.

The infant recovered significantly and was released on day 30 in a stable condition. Under routine follow-up care, she is presently flourishing and exhibiting encouraging signs of ongoing progress.

The clinical outcome demonstrates that Narayana Hospital, RN Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, is a pioneer in neonatal cardiac care, capable of providing life-saving procedures for some of the most difficult medical patients.

Priyanka Dutta