 Congenital defects of the heart in children are very common in contemporary

times. Heart defects can be minor or major in children. While some can be cured
with one single surgery, others require a series of procedures for complete
recovery. Recently, a five-year-old child who had a serious condition of cyanosis
and a history of congenital defects was admitted to CK Birla Hospitals – BM Birla
Heart Research Centre. He was admitted under the care of Dr. Manoj Daga –
Senior Consultant Cardiac Surgery – BM Birla Heart Research Centre. Dr. Daga
describes the little boy becoming blue due to his cyanotic heart defect. This
condition is commonly known as Blue baby syndrome.
 In Western countries, TAVI has now become the most common go-to cardiac
operation when it comes to minimally invasive surgical procedures for valve
replacement. With almost 95% success rate, TAVI is considered to be the gold
standard treatment for older and frail patients suffering from aortic-stenosis,
who have been earlier excluded from undergoing open heart surgery due to high
risk. The advanced technology of TAVI or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
has given hope of a new life to the geriatric population suffering from vascular
diseases.
 Coronary arterial disease has affected across India, the population of over 40
years of age. Among all the cardio-vascular diseases, coronary arterial disease
has reached an almost epidemic rate in our country. Sedentary lifestyle and high
genetic risk are the main causes of CAD. Studies have shown that every year
almost three million heart attacks happen in India and 30 million Indians suffer
from coronary diseases. More physical activity and better cardiorespiratory
fitness usually help to keep heart attacks at bay. However, with patients whose
only option for survival is getting a cardiac surgery done,
coronary artery bypass grafting via radial artery is the best choice for them.
 Patent ductus arteriosus – PDA is one of the most common congenital anomaly
that transpires in new-born babies when a temporary blood vessel, called the
ductus arteriosus fails to close naturally within 24–48 hours after birth.
Premature babies are more vulnerable and hence post birth must be carefully
examined by the doctors. If PDA goes undetected in a baby, then it will exist in
adulthood as well unless a corrective measure is taken. The ductus arteriosus
opening can range from small to large. Large openings invariably aggravate the
severity of the patient’s condition. Most common symptoms are poor weight,
lack of interest in feeding, abnormal breathing, murmuring sound during
heartbeat and fatigue.
 Heart diseases have become the major killer disease all over the world with more
people dying of heart attacks than of cancers, infectious diseases or respiratory
diseases. Unfortunately, half the people who have had a heart attack have never
had any symptoms before to warn them about the possibility of a heart problem.
The first time they have a chest pain is when they are having a heart attack.
Another important fact to note is that half the people who die of a heart attack
die within the first hour. So, time is of essence and it is imperative that a heart
attack is recognized at earliest and treated promptly.
BM Birla Heart Research Centre,
1/1, National Library Avenue,
Alipore, Kolkata-700027
West Bengal.
Phone Number : +91 33 30403040
Fax : +91 33 2456 7880
E-mail : helpdesk@birlaheart.org
Website: http://www.birlaheart.org/