Infant with hole in heart saved by hybrid procedure without open-heart surgery

“This technique is a game-changer,” said Dr Shivprakash Krishnanaik, the lead surgeon. “Traditional surgery requires opening the chest, stopping the heart, and using a heart-lung machine to keep circulation going. With this approach, we eliminate those risks and allow for faster healing.”

The baby, Imtiyaz Salim Patel, had been struggling with severe weight loss, difficulty in breastfeeding, and recurrent pneumonia.

By the time he arrived at HN Reliance Hospital, his weight had dropped to 5.3 kg. Scans confirmed a large mid-muscular Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), a hole in the heart that was dangerously mixing oxygenated and deoxygenated blood.

In a standard procedure, surgeons would stop the heart, open the chest, and stitch a patch over the hole while the patient is connected to a bypass machine. But this case required an innovative alternative.

Using a minimally invasive catheter-based technique, a needle was inserted through the ventricle, allowing doctors to deploy a 12mm Muscular VSD Occluder. This umbrella-like device expanded to cover the defect, sealing the hole without the need for a large incision.

“The precision of this method is remarkable,” Dr Krishnanaik explained. “Unlike surgery, which involves cutting and stitching, this device is placed from within, integrating naturally with the heart tissue over time.”

Imtiyaz was discharged just six days later—two days ahead of schedule. Within a week, he had gained 1.1 kg, become more active, and resumed normal feeding. A follow-up scan confirmed the device was securely in place, with only a minor residual shunt.
“This surgery has given our son a second chance,” said Imtiyaz’s father, overwhelmed with gratitude. “He is eating, playing, and finally gaining weight.”