In a pioneering medical achievement, a multidisciplinary team of doctors at Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute has successfully performed the world’s first foetal balloon aortic valvuloplasty with device closure on a 27-week-old foetus. This life-saving procedure was conducted on a foetus diagnosed with critical aortic stenosis, a condition that can severely affect heart function and survival.
What makes this achievement truly unprecedented is the use of a device to close the puncture site following the intervention—a groundbreaking approach that is believed to be the first of its kind globally. The procedure was led by Dr. Koneti Nageswara Rao, Chief Pediatric Cardiologist, along with Dr. Shweta Bakhru and Dr. Sri Phani Bhargavi Dhulipudi, both Pediatric Cardiologists, alongside a team of fetal medicine specialists, pediatric cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, and obstetricians, supported by cutting-edge technology and infrastructure at Rainbow Children’s Heart Institute.
The intervention was carried out with great precision after advanced imaging revealed severe narrowing of the aortic valve, threatening the fetus’s heart function. The procedure, a fetal balloon aortic valvuloplasty, is typically successful 70 per cent of the time. However, due to complications and blood leaks from the heart, the team opted to use a larger needle and balloon than usual. Under ultrasound guidance, the needle was inserted through the mother’s abdomen and uterus into the fetus’s heart, and the balloon catheter was advanced through the aortic valve to relieve the obstruction and restore blood flow. In a groundbreaking first, a closure device was employed to seal the puncture site, ensuring the fetus’s safety during and after the procedure.
The procedure proved to be a resounding success, with the fetus showing significant improvements in cardiac function. The baby was born healthy and has recently been discharged in good health after being monitored closely post-delivery. This milestone marks a significant advancement in fetal cardiology and interventional medicine, offering hope to families worldwide facing severe fetal cardiac conditions.
Dr. Koneti Nageswara Rao, Chief Pediatric Cardiologist, commented on the success, stating, “This achievement is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of fetal therapy. The use of a closure device in such a delicate and high-risk scenario demonstrates the power of innovation and teamwork in saving lives even before birth.”
Dr. Ramesh Kancharla, Chairman and Managing Director of Rainbow Children’s Hospital, congratulated the team for this landmark procedure, commending their dedication and expertise. He believes innovations like these will lead to significant advancements in pediatric care.
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