Late Heart Surgery Triumph: 7-Year-Old Beats Odds

A seven-year-old girl in Kolkata has undergone a complex, definitive corrective surgery for a congenital heart defect, successfully concluding a multi-year medical journey. Swastika was born with transposition of the great arteries (TGA), a condition where major blood vessels are reversed, typically requiring intervention in infancy.

Her TGA went undiagnosed until she was eight months old. Missing the critical early window for repair, Swastika previously underwent atrial switch and pulmonary artery banding procedures. When her family sought further treatment nearly two years ago, evaluations revealed her left ventricle was too weak for immediate definitive surgery.

To address this, doctors created an arteriovenous (AV) fistula in her left elbow for a year. This innovative technique deliberately increased blood flow, effectively strengthening her weakened ventricle by forcing it to pump with greater intensity.

Following confirmation that her ventricle had gained sufficient strength, a multidisciplinary team performed the complex anatomical reconstruction. The procedure, lasting nearly four and a half hours, meticulously restored the normal positions of the great arteries.

Swastika's recovery was swift. She was weaned off ventilator support within 48 hours and discharged ten days post-operation. She has since resumed normal childhood activities, including attending school and playing with friends.