Mumbai doctors have successfully treated a 34-year-old woman, Seema Ravikanth Patil, for a rare and complex heart condition known as Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm (SOVA). The patient, diagnosed with multiple congenital aneurysms, underwent a meticulously planned surgical procedure that has given her a new lease on life.

It was done by the team of experts at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre was led by Dr Pavan Kumar, a renowned cardiovascular surgeon, along with cardiologist Dr Nitin Gokhale and cardiac anaesthesiologist Dr Namrata Kothari.
 
Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm (SOVA) is an exceptionally rare condition, characterised by the abnormal expansion of the aortic root due to weak elastic tissue. Aneurysms of the Sinus of Valsalva are observed in approximately 0.09 per cent of the general population and are often associated with congenital heart defects. They predominantly arise from the right coronary sinus (70 per cent of cases), followed by the non-coronary sinus (25 per cent), with occurrences from the left coronary sinus being extremely rare. While individual SOVAs are uncommon, multiple aneurysms are even rarer, with only 18 reported cases globally, six of which have occurred in India. Patil’s congenital condition posed significant risks, including the potential for rupture, which can be life-threatening without early intervention.
 
Hailing from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, Patil had been struggling with breathlessness for a long time. Her condition worsened, and she was admitted to the hospital in an emergency. Tests, including an echocardiogram and CT scan, showed severe leakage in her aortic valve and some abnormal bulging in the aorta. This complicated issue required advanced care, hence family decided to bring her to Mumbai were they came to know about Dr Pavan.
 
The team at the hospital performed a complex surgical procedure to repair the aneurysms, restoring normal cardiac function and providing the patient with a new lease on life. Dr. Pavan said,"This patient came in with a serious heart condition. Her tests showed she had two large aneurysms and a leaking aortic valve. After talking to patients, she revealed that she had been experiencing migraines for the past 10 years and was receiving local treatment. However, it turned out her pain was not from migraines but from the leaking aortic valve.”