Pregnant Woman Survives 18-Hour Heart Surgery, Welcomes Twins

A 31-year-old woman, Tejaswini Hire, who was eight months pregnant with twins, underwent an extraordinary 18-hour heart surgery to save her life and that of her unborn children. She was admitted to KEM Hospital in Mumbai due to severe chest pain and breathlessness, where doctors discovered a tear in the main blood vessel responsible for carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Delays in diagnosis and treatment prompted the family to transfer her to Jaslok Hospital, fearing for the safety of all three lives involved. The urgency of the situation meant that Nishant Hire, Tejaswini’s husband, had to borrow money from friends and family, exhausting their savings to cover the medical expenses, which totaled around Rs 30 lakh. This amount included an emergency caesarean section, the heart surgery, and a month-long hospital stay for Tejaswini and her two daughters.

At KEM Hospital, the family was informed that treatment costs could reach Rs 4 lakh, but the associated risks led them to lose trust in the facility. Nishant expressed relief, stating, “At least all three are alive and safe.”

Complex Medical Challenges

A physician from KEM Hospital indicated that Tejaswini discharged herself against medical advice due to the critical nature of her case. Despite the low survival chances, the medical team was prepared for surgery. Dr. Hemant Pathare, the cardiothoracic surgeon who performed the operation, noted that Tejaswini suffered from an aortic dissection, a severe condition often linked to Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that can lead to serious heart complications.

“The tear extended to her coronary artery, and the aortic valve was leaking significantly,” Dr. Pathare explained. This condition resulted in severe fluid buildup in her lungs, necessitating the use of a ventilator. Complications arose that affected nearly her entire body, complicating her treatment further.

Upon her arrival at Jaslok Hospital, doctors found that one of the babies had no detectable heartbeat, leading to an emergency caesarean section. Dr. Danny Laliwala, the gynaecologist who carried out the delivery, highlighted the heightened risks associated with Marfan syndrome during pregnancy. He stated, “The most dangerous part is that cardiac complications can strike at any time from the first day to just after delivery.”

Hope and Recovery

Currently, Tejaswini is in recovery, while her twins are reported to be healthy. “She will have to be on lifelong blood thinners,” Dr. Pathare added, noting the extraordinary nature of this survival case. Maternal mortality in situations like this can reach as high as 50%, with infant mortality rates often being even higher.

The successful outcome of this complex medical case provides hope not only for Tejaswini and her family but also for medical professionals facing similar challenges in the future. As the twins celebrate their two-month milestone, their family’s journey underscores the resilience of both mother and child in the face of life-threatening circumstances.