Medical Triumph: 2kg Preterm Baby with TGA Successfully Treated at Tender Palm Hospital, Uttar Pradesh

In a significant breakthrough within Uttar Pradesh’s private healthcare sector, a two-kilogram preterm infant diagnosed with Transposition of Great Arteries (TGA) underwent a remarkable journey of critical care and a seven-hour surgery at Lucknow’s Tender Palm Hospital. Dr. Vijay Agarwal, a senior surgeon, spearheaded the complex operation, while a dedicated medical team, including ICU nurses, intensivists, and pediatricians, worked tirelessly for 24 hours, keeping the infant’s chest open. Following three days of careful observation, the child was successfully removed from the ventilator.

Dr. Vijay Agarwal explained the intricacies of TGA, highlighting additional challenges posed by the child’s intramural coronary artery, which increased surgical complexity and the risk of complications.

Vinay Sharma, CEO of Tender Palm Hospital, underscored the pivotal role of teamwork and the expertise of the ICU team in ensuring the success of the post-surgery phase. Dr. Vineet Shukla emphasized that their hospital stands as the sole facility currently equipped to handle infants weighing below five kilograms, aligning with new standards. Moreover, the hospital extends support through the Ayushman scheme and the Chief Minister’s fund assistance for such cases.

Dr. Vijay Agarwal shared a positive prognosis, expressing that the child is expected to lead a normal life without medication after three months. This outcome is particularly fortunate, as 80 percent of infants with TGA typically face challenges within the first month of life.

About Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)

TGA is a congenital cardiac defect associated with an abnormal configuration of the aorta and pulmonary artery, the two main arteries leaving the heart. TGA is a rare condition, affecting approximately 1 in 3,500 births. It typically causes significant problems right after birth and requires immediate intervention.

Physiopathology of TGA

The pulmonary artery emerges from the left ventricle in TGA, while the aorta originates from the right ventricle. This leads to the circulation of blood with low oxygen content throughout the body, and blood with high oxygen content circulates inside the lungs.

Diagnosis

TGA can be diagnosed with physical exams, identifying heart murmurs and cyanosis.
A few other methods involve echocardiogram, pulse oximetry, and cardiac catheterization.

Types of TGA

TGA is categorized into:

Levo-Transposition of the Great Arteries (L-TGA): This is quite rare and involves both an artery exchange and an inversion of the heart chambers.
Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries (D-TGA): This one is the most prevalent type and involves the swapping of the great arteries.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources