Mumbai : Narayana Health SRCC Children’s Hospital has successfully treated a 10-year-old child diagnosed with a rare congenital heart defect—sinus venosus atrial septal defect (SV-ASD) – using a minimally invasive transcatheter approach, a technique rarely used on children first time in Maharashtra . This is a significant milestone for the hospital and the medical team.

The child who was asymptomatic for years, was diagnosed with the heart defect during a routine evaluation after a murmur was detected. She visited the hospital’s outpatient department for consultation, where detailed imaging with echocardiography and CT angiogram revealed the anomaly.

The SV-ASD poses a unique challenge because one of the pulmonary veins, which normally carries oxygen-rich blood to the left atrium.  Traditionally surgical repair was the only option due to the complex anatomy. However, the team at SRCC Children’s Hospital performed the procedure using a covered stent technique, guided by advanced imaging modalities including fluoroscopy, angiography, and transoesophageal echocardiography.

Special care was taken to protect pulmonary venous drainage, maintain sinus rhythm, and ensure smooth flow through the superior vena cava. The procedure lasted approximately three hours. The patient was extubated immediately afterward, monitored overnight in the ICU, and discharged on the third day post-procedure.

Dr. Priya Pradhan, Senior Consultant – Paediatric  Cardiology Narayana Health SRCC Children’s Hospital,Mumbai , said: “This case involved a 10-year-old child with a sinus venosus ASD, a rare congenital heart defect. Traditionally, such cases required open-heart surgery, but we successfully closed the defect through a minimally invasive interventional procedure, avoiding the risks of surgery and extended recovery time. Achieving complete closure while maintaining normal pulmonary vein flow in a child is a significant milestone.”

Dr. Zubin Pereira, Facility Director Narayana Health SRCC Children’s Hospital,Mumbai added: “Sinus venosus ASD stenting is highly advanced and rare, with only around 381 patients and 54 centers performing it worldwide since 2016. Performing this in a child as young as 10 is extremely uncommon. This successful procedure now allows us to launch a dedicated program for sinus venosus ASD stenting, bringing world-class, minimally invasive heart care for children to Maharashtra state.”

This landmark procedure demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to pioneering advanced paediatric cardiology interventions and delivering cutting-edge, minimally invasive care for children with complex congenital heart defects.