In a remarkable feat of modern cardiac medicine, doctors at SIMS Hospitals have successfully removed a rare heart tumour from the left ventricle of a 45-year-old woman — using a minimally invasive keyhole procedure instead of traditional open-heart surgery.
The patient, a working professional, was diagnosed with a 1.5 cm tumour attached to the heart’s main pumping chamber, a condition so uncommon that it affects barely one in 20–30 million people.
A Rare Case Meets a Revolutionary Technique
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Dr. V.V. Bashi, Director and Senior Consultant at the Institute of Cardiac and Advanced Aortic Diseases, explained that left-ventricular tumours are among the rarest forms of cardiac growths.
“About 90% of heart tumours occur due to random cellular changes with no clear cause. Only 5–10% have genetic links. But finding a tumour inside the left ventricle — and removing it endoscopically — is even rarer,” he noted.
Traditionally, such surgeries require a sternotomy, where the chest bone is split open. Instead, the SIMS team opted for a minimally invasive endoscopic approach, reducing risk, pain, and recovery time for the patient.
Keyhole Surgery: A Life-Saving Innovation
Through tiny incisions, surgeons navigated to the tumour without disturbing major heart structures. The tumour was successfully excised, and the patient is now recovering well with minimal scarring and faster post-operative healing.
Doctors say this is a significant milestone for India’s cardiac care ecosystem, showing that highly complex heart procedures can now be performed with far less trauma to the body.
Setting New Standards in Cardiac Care
The successful surgery highlights the rapid advancements in Indian healthcare, particularly in minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Experts believe such innovations will allow thousands of patients to avoid the risks associated with open-heart procedures.
For the patient, what began as a frightening diagnosis has ended with hope — and a medical team that dared to push boundaries.
