A team of doctors here achieved a medical breakthrough in treating a 35-year-old man with an extremely rare heart disease that occurs in only 5 in 1,000,000 people in Asia.
The patient, Raj Gorsa, who is a bank employee, was brought to Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre in Mumbai after experiencing unusual symptoms such as chest pain, severe palpitations, and blackouts while working on November 10, last year.
After conducting a series of tests, doctors identified that Raj had recurrent ventricular tachycardia, which is a potentially dangerous cardiac rhythm disorder.
They initially tried medications, which did not improve Raj's condition. The doctors opted for automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) implantation.
Further investigations by cardiac MRI, PET scan, and biopsy of his neck node revealed he suffered from a combination of cardiac tuberculosis (TB) and cardiac sarcoidosis. Cardiac tuberculosis (TB) is a common respiratory problem that rarely affects the heart, and cardiac sarcoidosis is a rare inflammatory illness that affects the heart muscle. In a hospital statement, the doctors mentioned that the prevalence of cardiac sarcoidosis and tuberculosis simultaneously in Asians is five in one million cases.
Notably, Raj did not have any previous history of tuberculosis. They mentioned that the condition can be a frequently missed diagnosis given its rarity and the high index of suspicion needed to make the diagnosis.
The patient continued to suffer from ventricular tachycardia and received multiple shocks from AICD to convert his heart rhythm to normal. He was then treated with a bilateral thoracoscopic sympathectomy, which is a rare surgical procedure that involves cutting the nerves that control the heart rate.
The procedure was performed using thoracoscopic, minimally invasive techniques. The surgery was highly risky, as Raj had a persistently abnormal heart rate. The multidisciplinary team that looked after Raj's periprocedural care ensured an uneventful recovery.
On November 27, Raj was discharged, hale and hearty. The doctors monitored his heart condition for six weeks to ensure that there were no heart rhythm disturbances affecting his daily life.
Raj Gorsa expressed his gratitude to doctors and said that he is happy to be alive.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Komal Bhoi/MSM)
