Complex Pulmonary Condition Successfully Treated at Mangaluru Hospital
A 38-year-old male patient has made a remarkable recovery after undergoing a highly complex surgical procedure at Father Muller Medical College and Hospital in Mangaluru. The patient was initially admitted with a diagnosis of right lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but further evaluation revealed a much more serious underlying condition.
Severe Symptoms Lead to Critical Diagnosis
The patient presented with significant breathlessness and dangerously low oxygen saturation levels. His oxygen saturation at rest measured less than 80% on room air, necessitating continuous oxygen supplementation through a face mask. This alarming presentation prompted the medical team to conduct a comprehensive diagnostic workup to identify the root cause of his severe desaturation.
Dr Prabhakar H, an interventional cardiologist at the hospital, performed detailed 2D echocardiography that revealed severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) accompanied by severe right-sided valvular leak (TR). These findings strongly suggested chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), a serious condition where blood clots in the lungs lead to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries.
Advanced Imaging Confirms Life-Threatening Condition
The diagnosis was confirmed through computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), which provided startling results. The imaging revealed complete occlusion of the left pulmonary artery, meaning there was absolutely no blood flow to the patient's left lung. This indicated a chronic left pulmonary thromboembolism associated with what doctors described as a severe, complex, and life-threatening cardiopulmonary condition.
Medical professionals determined that without immediate intervention, the patient faced imminent risk of progressive heart and lung failure. The severity of the arterial blockage and the associated pulmonary hypertension created a critical situation requiring definitive surgical treatment.
High-Risk Surgical Intervention Under Total Circulatory Arrest
Given the gravity of the patient's condition, the medical team opted for a left surgical pulmonary thromboembolectomy. This intricate procedure was performed last month under general anesthesia and required the implementation of total circulatory arrest, a technique where blood circulation is temporarily stopped to facilitate the surgical removal of the blood clot from the pulmonary artery.
The surgery demanded:
- Advanced surgical expertise in cardiopulmonary procedures
- Meticulous perioperative coordination between multiple medical specialties
- Precise timing and execution due to the circulatory arrest component
- Comprehensive monitoring of vital functions throughout the procedure
Successful Recovery and Remarkable Improvement
Following the complex surgical intervention, the patient was carefully managed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to ensure stable recovery. The medical team monitored his progress closely, addressing any post-operative concerns and supporting his respiratory and cardiovascular functions during the critical healing phase.
The results have been exceptionally positive. The patient is now completely off supplemental oxygen and maintains a healthy oxygen saturation level of 95% at rest. This represents a dramatic improvement from his pre-operative condition where he required continuous oxygen support just to maintain basic bodily functions.
This case highlights the advanced surgical capabilities available at Father Muller Medical College and Hospital for treating complex cardiopulmonary conditions. The successful outcome demonstrates how timely diagnosis, appropriate surgical intervention, and comprehensive post-operative care can save lives even in the most challenging medical scenarios involving pulmonary vascular diseases.
