Chennai, 5th June 2025: MGM Healthcare Malar, Adyar, has successfully performed a high-risk cardiac surgery on a 58-year-old male patient diagnosed with Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm (SOVA) — a rare, life-threatening cardiac anomaly involving a swelling (aneurysm) of one of the aortic sinuses.

The aneurysm, located in the right coronary sinus, was obstructing blood flow from the heart and compressing the septum, resulting in worsening heart failure and severely impaired cardiac function.

The patient was admitted with complaints of shortness of breath, chest discomfort and fainting. Further examination revealed the presence of SOVA involving aneurysm in the right coronary sinus, one of the outpouchings at the root of the aorta. It is an uncommon cardiac abnormality with an incidence of just 0.09%. The patient also had other health problems of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and narrowing of the left renal artery.

The complex procedure involved placing the patient on a heart-lung machine, allowing the surgical team to perform a meticulous repair of the aneurysm. Once repaired, the heart was gradually rewarmed and normal circulation restored. Chest tubes, pacing wires, and steel sutures were employed to support post-operative healing and monitoring.

The patient had previously been advised to undergo heart transplantation at multiple centres due to severely depressed heart function and heart failure.

In his comments, Dr. Madan Mohan, Senior Interventional Cardiologist who led the procedure, said “The aneurysm was diagnosed and treated before it could rupture, thereby preventing a potentially catastrophic event”.

Dr. Sanjay Theodore, Clinical Lead, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery, said, “This is an excellent example of how advanced cardiac care can reverse serious conditions and eliminate the need for major procedures like heart transplants. Our multidisciplinary team — comprising Cardiac Anaesthetist Dr. Kamalakannan, cardiac specialist nurses, perfusionists, technical staff — and the patient's resilience were key factors in the successful outcome.”

This case highlights MGM Healthcare Malar’s competence in managing complex cardiac abnormalities with precision and care. The hospital remains committed to providing cutting-edge cardiac care with a patient-first approach.