Ludhiana News- Reverse heart day gift pleasant surprise to heart surgeon

Ludhiana, October 1, 2013: JasleenKaur  – a 5 year old angelic girl- daughter of Gurmeet Kaur  and Taranjeet Singh, resident of village Sanghowal, Ludhiana  -  gave a pleasant Heart Day 2013 gift to her cardiac surgeon – Dr Harinder Singh Bedi – Head of Cardio Vascular Endovascular & Thoracic  Surgery at the Christian Medical College  & Hospital  Ludhiana.

Jasleen was suffering from severe heart failure. She was diagnosed to have a rather rare defect – a single atrium (an extremely large hole in the heart) - with right heart failure and severe pulmonary artery hypertension.  Because of the defect Jasleen was in poor health as all her blood was circulating in the heart and lungs without reaching the rest of the body. Her lungs were getting damaged and her growth was retarded. Her heart had started to fail.  She weighed only 9 Kg – less than her 8 month old brother!!! . Without surgery she may not have survived very long. Because of her low immunity she had contracted TB for which she had been treated.

She would land up in the emergency room of various hospitals time and again. She was then referred to Dr. Bedi. On investigation it was realised that only a major open heart surgery could save Jasleen as her heart was close to its terminal condition. Dr.Bedi who has had advanced training in the treatment of such cases at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Australia said that if untreated the lungs of such children get damaged beyond repair . In co-ordination with Dr Abraham G Thomas - the Director of CMC & H –and Dr.Jugesh Chattwal Prof and Head Paediatrics – it was decided to perform the high risk case under the Gift of Life scheme funded by the CMC Alumni USA and the UMSF USA. A major heart surgery was done wherein Jasleen’s body was placed on a heart lung machine, the heart stopped and put on ice and the hole in the heart repaired. Dr. Bedi said that he was surprised to note that there was absolutely no partition between the left and right parts of the heart. So a new partition was created and sewn into the heart. By Gods grace – Jasleen’sheart recovered immediately. The other members of the team during the marathon surgery were Dr S Garg, Dr. Melchi, Dr. Anish, Dr.  Rahul, Dr. Simi, Dr. Sneha and Dr. Tobhita. The delicate control of the heart lung machine was done by William and Jairus.

On discharge – coincidentally on World Heart Day – Jasleen gave a beautiful drawing that she had made as a gift to Dr Bedi. Dr Bedi and his CTVS Heart Team were overwhelmed by this gesture of love. Dr. Bedi said that the smiling face of baby Jasleen and her parents was the greatest satisfaction for the CTVS Heart team  .

Dr Abraham G Thomas – Director of CMC said that the CTVS Heart team of CMC & H under the leadership of DrBediis fully geared to operate on small children with heart defects. Dr Prof Jugesh Chhatwal said that now Jasleen can have a normal life and growth.