Raja, a 2-month-old baby, is the second child of parents who come from the Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu. The parents have an elder 7-year-old boy. During the 7th month of pregnancy, a fetal scan revealed a complex heart defect in the unborn child. A week after Raja’s birth, the parents were referred to G Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital in Coimbatore. An echocardiogram was conducted, leading to the diagnosis of D-Transposition of the Great Arteries with Ventricular Septal Defect and Pulmonary Stenosis, constituting a complex congenital heart defect. This condition was characterized by the main blood vessels, the Aorta and Pulmonary Artery, arising from incorrect heart chambers, causing mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, resulting in lower body oxygen saturation. Additionally, Raja had a large hole between the lower heart chambers (Ventricular Septal Defect or VSD) along with severe narrowing of the Pulmonary Valve.
The parents were informed that Raja would require surgery and should be closely monitored. About a week prior, the mother noticed feeding difficulties and observed the baby turning blue. Raja was promptly taken to G Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital, where the oxygen saturation level was only 60%. Urgent surgery was advised, and the parents were counselled accordingly.
Undergoing a 6-hour open-heart surgery called the “REV Procedure,” Raja’s condition was successfully treated. In this procedure, the Ventricular Septal Defect was rerouted to the Aorta, enabling oxygenated blood to flow to the body. The Pulmonary Artery was disconnected from the Left Ventricle and reconnected to the Right Ventricle, allowing deoxygenated blood to flow to the lungs. The post-operative phase was free of complications, and Raja was discharged in stable condition after six days, with oxygen saturation at 94%.
Raja’s father, a construction laborer with a monthly income of around Rs 6000, was unable to cover the surgical costs. Fortunately, “The Hans Foundation (THF)” stepped in to provide assistance through its “Little Hearts Program.” Established in 2009 as a Public Charitable Trust, THF focuses on improving the quality of life for marginalized and underprivileged communities in India across various domains such as Health, Education, Livelihood, Disability, and Disaster Relief. The “Little Hearts Program,” in collaboration with hospitals nationwide, supports life-saving surgeries for underprivileged children born with Congenital Heart Disease, aiming to create a positive impact.
Dr. Vijayakumar Raju, Director of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, described Raja’s case as exceptionally challenging and complex. While typical cases involve the Rastelli procedure with the placement of a conduit, Raja’s surgery involved a full repair that eliminated the need for a conduit. This not only provides a permanent solution but also eliminates the future need for additional surgeries and saves on conduit-related costs. At just 2 months old, Raja is one of the youngest patients in India to undergo the REV Procedure for such a complex heart defect.
