When science meets compassion, what seems impossible begins to resemble a miracle. In a remarkable instance that demonstrates how technologically savvy medical professionals can contribute to quality and longevity of life for the elderly, a young doctor in Gujarat has accomplished a rare, sophisticated medical procedure on an 89-year-old. The patient was likely the oldest in the region, making it a remarkable case study of an intersection of cutting-edge healthcare and age.
Leveraging his academic knowledge and experience, this young cardiologist from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Dr Aman T Patel took an informed risk on Rajkot’s Jyotsna Desai, who had been suffering from severe breathlessness, frequent fainting spells, and general weakness.
Her family revealed that she was unable to walk normally and had become bedridden. Following investigations, doctors at Apex Heart Institute found that her aortic valve was critically narrowed, severely restricting blood flow from her heart to the brain and other parts of the body.
The valve in her heart contracted, and she had constant complaints of breathlessness. Her heart condition was so severe that even turning in bed was difficult, let alone walking. This led to serious complications, including fluid accumulation in the lungs and reduced oxygen supply to the brain.
With breakthrough technology and a steady hand, Dr Patel performed what, in medical terminology, is known as TAVR on her. TAVR, or Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, is a safer alternative to open-heart surgery. Instead of opening the chest, a new valve is delivered through a thin catheter inserted via the groin. Dr Patel is considered a master of TAVR. He proceeded with the procedure on Jyotsna Desai after considering various options and conducting a detailed risk assessment.
Miraculously, she walked home just a week after the procedure.
Dr Patel told The Vibes of India, “For geriatric patients, a detailed risk assessment is crucial before deciding on a treatment plan. In Jyotsna’s case, the valve was narrow and lacked sufficient calcium. As a result, less blood was being pumped from the heart to the brain and other organs, leading to poor brain perfusion, dizziness, fainting spells, and other complications. Given the high risk, we opted for TAVR.”
“When the age is 89, the goal is not to increase longevity. The first goal is to improve the quality of life. Longevity is a byproduct—we come to know over time how long the patient could live,” he explained.
“Had we opted for open-heart surgery during this procedure, it would have been an absolute contraindication. No surgeon would agree to replace her valve. The only scientifically feasible option in her case was transcatheter aortic valve replacement, in which we fix the heart valve without cutting open the chest, without anesthesia, and without the heart-lung bypass, which significantly minimises the risk.”
Contraindication is a situation in which a surgery is best avoided if it entails risk. “If the surgical risk is 25 percent to 30 percent, the risk with this procedure is one-fourth—somewhere in the range of 3 percent to 5 per,” he added.
Grateful for her second chance at life, Jyotsnaben admitted she was initially a bit skeptical, but the reassuring words from her adult children, who flew down from the United States, convinced her to take a chance. “All my apprehensions vanished once I came to Apex Heart Institute,” she said, adding that she had never seen a better, more sophisticated, and cleaner operation theatre in her life.
“Earlier, I couldn’t even walk. Every step felt like a struggle. My family brought me here, and the doctor treated me with such care—like a mother, not just as a patient.” she said. “I could not believe this young boy would give me a second life.”
Dr Patel said, “Till date, an 89-year-old undergoing a heart valve replacement in Gujarat hasn’t been reported. Open-heart surgery is a contraindication—nobody will do it—but even for the transcatheter procedure, we’ve heard of patients undergoing it up to the age of 82 or 84.”
Dr Patel didn’t just perform a procedure—he restored a life, proving that with courage, skill, and compassion, even the most unlikely recoveries can become reality.
Also Read: Operation Sindoor: Only targeted those who killed innocents, says Rajnath Singh https://www.vibesofindia.com/operation-sindoor-only-targeted-those-who-killed-innocents-says-rajnath-singh/
