In a rare and high-risk medical intervention, a 21-year-old pregnant woman diagnosed with severe heart muscle thickening successfully underwent a life-saving procedure at Kauvery Hospital Heartcity in Trichy, safeguarding both her life and that of her unborn child.
The patient was suffering from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a genetic condition that causes abnormal thickening of the heart muscles, severely restricting blood flow. She was diagnosed during her sixth month of pregnancy after experiencing breathlessness and worsening cardiac symptoms.
High-risk pregnancy with limited options
Doctors stated that her condition progressively deteriorated, posing serious risk to both mother and baby. As she had crossed the safe window for termination of pregnancy, conventional options were limited.
The medical team decided to perform Alcohol Septal Ablation (ASA), a specialised cardiac procedure aimed at reducing the thickness of the obstructing heart muscle. The technique involves injecting controlled amounts of alcohol into the specific artery supplying the thickened muscle, causing it to shrink and relieve obstruction.
Dr T Joseph, Lead Electrophysiologist and Interventional Cardiologist, carried out the delicate procedure.
Team effort under critical circumstances
Hospital Executive Director Dr T Senthilkumar described the intervention as a rare and high-risk undertaking, particularly during pregnancy. He credited the successful outcome to coordinated efforts by cardiologists, anaesthetists and obstetric specialists.
According to the hospital, both mother and baby are now stable and under close medical observation.
Medical experts noted that such interventions during pregnancy require precise monitoring to minimise risks to the foetus while ensuring maternal cardiac stability.
The case highlights advancements in interventional cardiology and the importance of timely diagnosis in high-risk pregnancies complicated by underlying heart conditions.