Date:14/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/14/stories/2005051402160300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

Hole in heart closed without surgery at KLE Hospital

Staff Correspondent

BELGAUM: Cardiac surgeons at the Belgaum-based KLE Hospital have successfully performed "VSD Closure by using a device" (closing of a hole in the heart without operation).

According to a press release here on Thursday, two 12-year-old boys were admitted to the hospital with complaints of repeated chest infections since childhood, breathlessness and palpitation for the last six months.

After evaluation, the patients were found to have congenital heart disease with a hole (VSD) measuring six to eight millimetres diameter in the lower chamber of the heart.

It is noteworthy here that such holes in the heart were closed by open heart surgery, which required a 10-day stay in hospital and also involved the risk of operation under anaesthesia leaving behind a long scar over the chest of the patient.

Gaining grounds

A recently evolved technique called "VSD closure by using device" (Amplatz) is now gaining grounds in this field.

The technique uses a long catheter (tube) with an umbrella like device introduced from the leg to the heart and the hole is closed.

After the procedure, the patient can be discharged within two days and they can get back to their routine activities.

Prabhu C. Halkati, chief cardiologist, and his team conducted the procedure.

The two boys, who have been discharged, are doing well now, the release added.