Agartala, June 8:
In an unprecedented achievement for medical care in Tripura, the Department of Cardiology and Department of Pediatrics at AGMC and GBP hospital successfully performed a complex PDA stenting procedure on a 14-day-old neonate.
This procedure, considered rare in eastern India, saved the life of the baby who was suffering from low blood oxygen levels after birth.
Referred from Khowai district hospital, the 2.8 kg baby had a critical condition with only 60% oxygen saturation despite continuous oxygen support.
With prompt intervention from the Cardiology department, a 2D echocardiography diagnosed the baby with Pulmonary Atresia and a closing PDA.
The blood flow to the pulmonary arteries is maintained by a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) which is a small tube-like structure which has a tendency to get blocked soon after birth.
As the vessels are tiny in neonates, the access for putting a stent is always a challenge.
Recognizing the deteriorating condition, an emergency PDA stenting procedure was planned and executed on June 3rd, 2023.
The baby’s saturation had plummeted to just 30% by the time they were shifted to the cathlab.
Under the expert guidance of Dr. Anindya Sundar Trivedi, Assistant Professor and incharge HOD of Cardiology, and Dr. Rakesh Das, Cardiologist, along with their dedicated team, the critical PDA stenting procedure lasted for 2.5 hours.
Remarkably, the procedure was completed successfully, and the baby’s saturation level improved to 94%.
Following the procedure, the baby received exemplary care and monitoring in the NICU of the Pediatrics department.
Thanks to the outstanding efforts of the Department of Pediatrics, the baby made a full recovery and is currently in the general ward, free from any oxygen requirements.
Significantly, this entire procedure was carried out free of cost for the patient under ABPMJAY (RKS Pharmacy, AGMC), with the unwavering support of the Medical Superintendent at AGMC.
If conducted at an out-of-state hospital, this life-saving procedure would have cost approximately Rs 3 lakh.
The parents of baby who belong to an economically deprived family thanked the doctors and the government for giving a new lease of life to their baby.
