First ASD surgery done at Rajindra Hospital

Patiala, January 8

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The department of cardiology performed its first successful surgery of atrial septal defect (ASD) at Government Rajindra Hospita here today. Gautam Singal, in-charge, said that a 41-year-old patient had come to hospital with a complaint of breathlessness and was initially managed for asthma.

Dr Singal said, “She was initially managed as a case of asthma. However, on evaluation she was found to have a heart murmur and split-second heart-sound. Her echo showed a large hole in the upper chambers of the heart.”

Dr Singal said, “After thorough evaluation, she underwent the process of device closure, and is currently doing well. She will be discharged soon.”

The hole in the heart normally is present in the foetus only (when the child is inside the mother and growing). The hole helps in mixing of blood inside and closes on its own at the time of birth. “Those defects which don’t get closed, on its own, require either a device closure or open heart surgery,” said Dr Singal.

He explained further that the advantage of this device-closure was that there was no need of open-heart surgery and patient could be discharged next day. — TNS