SIMS Hospital Performs Landmark Surgery on South India’s Youngest Patient with Porcelain Aorta
Chennai: In a groundbreaking medical achievement, SIMS Hospital in Chennai successfully treated a 28-year-old engineering student from Kerala suffering from a rare and life-threatening cardiac condition. The patient was diagnosed with a combination of “porcelain aorta” — a severely calcified and fragile main artery — and “aortic valve stenosis,” a narrowing of the valve that regulates blood flow from the heart.
The young man had endured severe breathing difficulties for two months and was turned away by multiple hospitals in Kerala due to the complexity and high risk of the surgery. Refusing to give up hope, he travelled to the Aortic Aneurysm Centre at SIMS Hospital, where a team of expert cardiac surgeons took on the challenge.
The surgical team, led by Dr. V V Bashi, Director & Senior Consultant, Institute of Cardiac & Advanced Aortic Diseases, and Dr. Mohammed Idhrees, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, performed a mechanical aortic valve replacement. The procedure involved suturing the valve onto the heavily calcified aorta — a task fraught with risk due to the brittle, eggshell-like nature of the porcelain aorta. The five-hour surgery was supported by anesthetists Dr. Aju Jacob and Dr. Arun Kumar A, along with a dedicated team of nurses and perfusionists.
Dr. Bashi explained, “This was a highly complex case. Both conditions are extremely rare in young individuals. Aortic valve stenosis typically affects older adults due to gradual calcium buildup, and a porcelain aorta is almost unheard of in someone under 30. Our team meticulously planned and executed the procedure, managing the dual risks to restore normal heart function. Without surgery, the patient’s prognosis was grim.”
Dr. Idhrees added, “Suturing a porcelain aorta is extremely delicate. Any disturbance can cause calcium fragments to enter the bloodstream, risking stroke or severe complications. Despite the challenges, our team executed the procedure with precision, and the patient is now recovering well with a positive outlook.”
Dr. Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman of SIMS Hospital, hailed the surgery as a medical milestone. “Successfully treating such a rare and complex case in a young patient is a testament to our team’s expertise and commitment. This achievement sets a new benchmark in advanced cardiac care and reinforces SIMS Hospital’s dedication to saving lives through innovation and excellence.”
