17th July 2025 Rajkot, Gujarat : Sterling Hospitals, Rajkot part of one of Gujarat’s leading multi specialty hospital chains has achieved a significant milestone in the field of cardiac care by successfully treating a highly rare and life threatening heart condition known as Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva (RSOV) without performing open heart surgery.

A 38 year old patient from Bhuj district had been suffering from symptoms like shortness of breath and body swelling for the past several days, resembling signs of heart failure. In most cases, such a condition requires open heart surgery. However, the expert team at Sterling Hospitals, Rajkot led by Dr. Ankur Thummar and Dr. Mandeep Tillarani, treated the patient using the “Device Closure” technique a non surgical approach giving him a new lease on life.

In this advanced procedure, a special umbrella like device was used to close the hole successfully, without any cuts or stitches. The entire process was carried out under real time guidance using TEE and 3D ECHO technology. Commenting on the case, Dr. Ankur Thummar said, “RSOV is an extremely rare and dangerous condition. If not treated in time, it can prove fatal for nearly 90% of patients. Thanks to modern technology and our expert team, we were able to successfully treat this case without surgery.”

The patient is now completely healthy and has resumed his daily routine.

Understanding RSOV - A Rare and Severe Cardiac Condition

Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva (RSOV) is a rare and serious heart condition in which a delicate structure called the Sinus of Valsalva, located near the heart’s main blood vessels (especially the aorta), ruptures. This sinus normally ensures proper blood flow, but when it tears or forms a hole, blood begins to flow in the wrong direction within the heart. This abnormal blood flow places excess pressure on the heart, leading to severe symptoms like difficulty in breathing, fatigue, chest pain and weakness. In some cases, the condition can escalate quickly and result in heart failure or sudden cardiac arrest.

The main cause of RSOV is often congenital present from birth though it may also result from severe injury, infections like infective endocarditis, or even after cardiac surgery in some cases.

Traditionally, the only treatment option for RSOV was open heart surgery, where the hole is closed using stitches or patches. However, thanks to advancements in minimally invasive technologies, procedures like device closure (using an umbrella-like implant) now offer a safer and less invasive alternative. Medication is also crucial, especially for patients already experiencing heart failure or other serious symptoms. Delayed treatment can pose a serious risk to life.

About Sterling Hospitals: (https://www.sterlinghospitals.com)

In Western India, Sterling Hospitals, a private hospital network, dominates the market and offers top-notch medical care. Since its founding in 2001, the hospital has been a leader in the field by offering patients the best possible medical and surgical care.

The Sterling Group has successfully constructed state-of-the-art secondary care facilities in Gandhidham, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Rajkot, as well as tertiary care multi-specialty hospitals. The fact that Sterling Hospitals is the first corporate hospital in Gujarat to receive NABH accreditation is evidence of its dedication to providing the highest quality medical treatment. Sterling Hospitals also has a dedicated cancer care hospital in Ahmedabad at Sindhubhavan.

The hospital offers a variety of crucial disciplines, such as cardiology and CVTS surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, nephrology and urology, liver and renal transplantation (cadaveric and live), GI medicine and surgery, hematology, bone marrow transplant, and oncology.