The operation was performed on a 61-year-old patient from Mumbai, who had earlier undergone a complex Bentall procedure — a type of open-heart surgery to replace the aortic valve, aortic root, and ascending aorta — more than a decade ago.
Published Jun 13, 2025 | 10:54 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 13, 2025 | 10:54 AM
The team of doctors from SIMS Chennai who performed the surgery.
Synopsis: Doctors at SIMS Hospital in Chennai stopped a patient’s heart for two hours and successfully performed India’s first hybrid cardiac surgery combining two advanced techniques: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement and the Frozen Elephant Trunk procedure.
In a landmark feat of precision cardiac surgery, doctors at SIMS Hospital in Chennai stopped a patient’s heart for two hours during a 10-hour marathon operation, successfully performing India’s first hybrid cardiac surgery combining two advanced techniques: Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and the Frozen Elephant Trunk (FET) procedure.
The operation was performed on a 61-year-old patient from Mumbai, who had earlier undergone a complex Bentall procedure — a type of open-heart surgery to replace the aortic valve, aortic root, and ascending aorta — more than a decade ago.
Over time, untreated portions of his aorta had dilated significantly, and his tissue valve had become severely calcified and narrowed, placing him at grave risk.
The latest surgery involved two distinct and highly specialised interventions — both typically performed separately — but done together in a single sitting due to the critical nature of the case. For over four hours, the patient was kept on cardiopulmonary bypass, while for two of those hours, his heart was stopped entirely to allow the surgical team to carry out the intricate steps.
TAVR is a minimally invasive technique typically used for high-risk patients, where a new aortic valve is implanted via a catheter instead of open surgery.
FET, on the other hand, is a demanding open-heart technique used to replace the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta with a hybrid prosthetic graft.
The graft resembles an elephant’s trunk — hence the name — with a fabric component replacing the arch and a stented section inserted into the descending aorta to stabilise diseased segments.
“This is the first successful case in India of a TAVR and Frozen Elephant Trunk performed together on a patient undergoing a redo Bentall surgery,” said Dr. V.V. Bashi, Director & Senior Consultant, Institute of Cardiac & Advanced Aortic Diseases at SIMS, in a statement.
“It demanded not only surgical precision but a high level of coordination between cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists, perfusionists, and critical care teams. The patient had no other treatment option.”
Dr Mohammed Idhrees, senior cardiothoracic surgeon at SIMS, described the case as one of the most difficult in India.
“The hybrid nature of the surgery — doing a catheter-based valve replacement along with a high-risk aortic graft — was precisely planned and executed without a hitch. The patient’s courage and cooperative mindset were instrumental in a fast recovery,” he said.
Despite the complexity, the patient was discharged just eight days after surgery, having spent only two days in the intensive care unit (ICU).
The patient will remain on lifelong blood pressure medications but won’t need long-term blood thinners — a key advantage of the chosen valve approach, the hospital said.
Dr Ravi Pachamuthu, Chairman of SIMS Hospital, said the successful procedure marked a new era for hybrid cardiovascular care in India. “It showcases not just surgical excellence but our commitment to innovation in tackling some of the most complex heart conditions.”
This breakthrough opens doors for similar lifesaving interventions in patients who’ve exhausted conventional surgical options.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
