ITANAGAR, Sept 15: Doctors at the lone medical college hospital in Arunachal
Pradesh successfully conducted a rare surgery, as they closed a congenital hole in
the heart of a 30-year-old female patient, officials said on Friday.
Cardiologists of the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS)
near here performed the first closure of the Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) of the
patient under local anesthesia, on Thursday.
The surgery was performed percutaneously (through the skin) by Dr Rinchin
Dorjee Megeji and Dr Tony Ete along with a team of nurses.
“This is the beginning of a new era in medical science in the state,” Ete said.
The ASD is an opening or hole in the wall (septum) that separates the top two
chambers of the heart. The opening is present at birth, but later the septum
grows and seals the opening. However, in a few cases it does not get sealed,
resulting in an increase in the workload on one side of the heart and excessive
blood flow to the lungs.
“We are grateful to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Health Minister Alo Libang,
Health & Family Welfare Principal Secretary, and TRIHMS Director Dr Moji Jini for
pushing us every day to go to greater heights,” Ete added.
The chief minister congratulated the team of doctors and other staff of TRIHMS
for the rare feat.
“Heartiest congratulations to Dr Rinchin Dorjee Megeji, Dr Tony Ete and the entire
cardio team of @TrihmsOfficial for successfully carrying out the first closure of
atrial septal defect – a hole inside the heart – percutaneously in a 30-yr-old female
in local anaesthesia. Proud moment, indeed! Best wishes for the future!” Khandu
posted on X, formerly Twitter. (PTI)
