7-month-old baby from Congo was operated for Type 3 Truncus Arteriosus (TA)

About the patient and condition

Baby Banguli, 7-month-old from Congo was detected with type 3 Truncus Arteriosus (TA) which is a rare type of heart disease. Due to this baby was having breathing problems and heavy breathing.

Case Scenario

Explaining about the case, Dr Muthu Jothi, Senior Consultant, Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Indraprastha Apollo hospital said, “The patient presented with a complex and rare congenital heart disease and required an open heart surgery to correct the defect. Moreover, she came with type 2 TA, but upon proper evaluation she was diagnosed with type 3 TA. Such cases are generally operated before three months of age. However, in this case, the patient was seven months old hence there was high risk involved.”

“On 14th September, 2019, the patient was taken for high risk surgical intervention to improve pulmonary blood flow. In view of the severity of baby Banguli’s condition, she was closely monitored and given critical intervention. We disconnected the pulmonary arteries from the aorta. We then installed a tube between the pulmonary arteries and closed the hole in the heart. The child did well in the post-operative period and was off the ventilator within 24 hours. The baby gradually improved and fit to go back to her country,” added Dr. Jothi.

Worldwide Scenario

Truncus Arteriosus is a rare heart defect present at the time of birth (congenital). Normally, there are two main blood vessels emerging from the heart: the aorta, carrying blood to the body, and the pulmonary artery that branches immediately to carry blood to each lung. In TA, instead of having a separate pulmonary artery and aorta, patient has only one great blood vessel departing from the heart, which then branches into blood vessels that go to the lungs and the rest of the body. Type 3 TA is considered as most complex in nature. Generally, surgical repair is successful but should be done before baby is three months of age. If left untreated, the majority (up to 88%) of patients die in infancy due to pulmonary hypertension (High pressure in lungs) and cardiac failure.

Expertise at Apollo Hospitals

Patient required surgical repair due to possible development of congestive heart failure. None of the hospitals in Congo had agreed to take up the case of baby Banguli considering the tender age. Despite all odds, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital took up this challenging case after pre-operative stabilization

Apollo Hospitals – Touching Lives

These surgeries are complicated, highly demanding and need multidisciplinary team effort. They need clinical expertise and well-equipped operation theatres with advanced equipments. The treatment is usually prolonged and done in multiple stages. Successful execution of complex and risky surgeries demonstrate expert clinical services and advanced healthcare facilities available at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals. Domestic as well as International patients who would have otherwise gone to the United States of America or Europe for treatment are now choosing Indian hospitals for affordable treatment, due to faith in doctors and excellent hospital care.

Patient’s testimonial

Father of baby Banguli said, “My baby is just seven months old but she is a born fighter. We took her to almost all the best hospitals in Congo but considering her tender age, none of them agreed to take her case. Our family was completely despondent, and I feared that I would lose my baby. A family friend shared Banguli’s report with the doctor over an email. Dr. Jothi immediately took up my daughter’s case. Banguli received immediate attention where she was examined and operated under the care of Dr. Jothi. When we were told that the operation is successful, we had no words to express our gratitude to the doctor and his team. Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals has given my daughter a new lease of life for which we will forever be grateful. This is the rebirth of Banguli Isonia.”