In a groundbreaking feat of medical excellence, a team of doctors at BM Birla Heart Hospital, Kolkata, has performed a rare heart surgery on a six-month-old baby girl—earning them a prestigious place in the World Journal of Paediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery.
Born with a rare congenital heart defect known as left main coronary artery stenosis, the baby struggled with severe breathing issues, poor feeding, and extreme fatigue. Her heart was functioning at just 20% capacity—a life-threatening condition requiring urgent intervention.
But what makes this case exceptional is the surgical technique: doctors opted for Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)—a high-risk procedure where the heart is operated on without the use of a heart-lung machine. This approach, especially in such a young infant, is almost unheard of globally.
“Performing such a delicate surgery without stopping the heart in a baby is an extremely rare achievement,” said Dr. Manoj Kumar Daga, the lead cardiothoracic surgeon.
The surgery was a success, and post-operative monitoring showed remarkable recovery. At the latest follow-up, the baby’s heart efficiency had improved to 55%, nearing normal levels. She is now expected to lead a healthy, normal life.
The case—co-authored by a team of Kolkata doctors including Dr. Daga, Dr. Nitish Kumar, and others—was published in the renowned international journal for its rare success and pioneering technique.
This is believed to be the first ever reported case of off-pump CABG performed on an infant with this specific congenital defect, adding a new chapter in India’s growing legacy of world-class cardiac care.
