Heart function dropped from 60% to 35%; Long-standing diabetes complicated the case

Complex beating-heart bypass surgery, including endarterectomy and triple bypass grafting done; patient discharged in ten days.

A team of doctors led by renowned cardiologist Dr. Tameem Ahmed, (MS, MCh – AIIMS), Director of Cardiac Sciences at Trilife Hospital, successfully conducted a rare and high-risk heart surgery on a 55-year-old woman. The patient, who suffered a massive heart attack was diagnosed with severe triple vessel disease, a condition made significantly worse by long-standing diabetes and a dangerously weakened heart function, dropping from 60% to 35%.

“An angiogram revealed that her coronary arteries were severely blocked (to an extent that bypass would not be possible in normal circumstances) Not doing a surgery would have meant slow and inevitable deterioration of her heart, eventually leading to organ failure or death. Faced with this life-or-death decision, the patient and her family, on the advice of the doctors, took the bold and courageous step of going ahead with surgery” Dr Tameem said.

Following this decision, a team of expert cardiac surgeons including Dr. Amit Pal, Sr. Cardiac Anaesthetist, Dr.Prashant W, Sr. Cardiologist, Dr. Suresh, Cardiac Surgeon and Kumar, OT in charge  performed a complex beating-heart bypass surgery, which included a rare procedure called endarterectomy (surgical cleaning of the arteries), vein patch reconstruction, and triple bypass grafting—all while the heart was still beating.

“This case serves as a symbol of hope for countless patients battling complex heart diseases as it was not a routine bypass. It was a calculated risk that we took, for a patient who would have been otherwise considered inoperable. In most such cases, where diabetes and severe arterial calcification complicate surgery, patients are often turned down or referred for extremely expensive and risky alternatives like ECMO, ventricular assist devices, or even heart transplant, all challenging prognosis. The success of this case shows what is possible with advanced surgical skill, a dedicated team, and an unwavering will to fight” Dr. Tameem added.

This meticulous operation not only saved her life but set a new benchmark in managing such high-risk cases. The patient was awake just one-hour post-surgery, her condition improved in ten days.