Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KD/AF)

Mangalore, Apr 18: A team of doctors led by Dr Padma Kumar R, chief interventional cardiologist and assisted by Dr S Ramesh of Kasturba Hospital Manipal has performed a unique cardiac interventional procedure (without surgery) to cure a cardiac disease on a five-year-old boy.

According to the press release, a child hailing from Teerthahalli had congenital aortic valve stenosis (narrowing of a major valve in the left side of heart). The boy had retarded growth and breathlessness on exertion. The narrowed valve was successfully opened without surgery using balloon (Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty) passed via an artery in the leg. This disease, which could be earlier treated only by surgery, can now be cured without a scar using balloon. 

Some time back, the same team of doctors had successfully closed a Patent Ductus Arterious (PDA) and Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) using a small device passed via the leg vein, the release stated.