KATRA: In a remarkable story of survival and advanced cardiac care, a 55-year-old patient from Udhampur district has successfully recovered after battling a life-threatening heart infection and severe respiratory failure at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital.
The patient was referred from a private hospital in Jammu in an extremely critical condition on ventilator and inotropic support. Doctors diagnosed him with Aortic Valve Endocarditis with Severe Aortic Regurgitation — a serious infection damaging the heart valve. His condition was further complicated by severe lung infection, respiratory failure and collapse of major portions of the lungs.
The patient was immediately shifted to the advanced Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, where doctors initiated aggressive treatment and critical care support. Despite all efforts, his condition continued to deteriorate, requiring emergency ventilator support and urgent high-risk cardiac surgery.
With a predicted mortality risk of nearly 95.8%, the Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery team decided to proceed with a life-saving operation as the only remaining option.
On 22nd April 2026, the patient underwent a highly complex emergency procedure involving Aortic Valve Replacement along with Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) under cardiopulmonary bypass support, along with insertion of an Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP).
Despite the exceptionally high-risk nature of the surgery, the procedure was completed successfully.
However, the battle for survival continued inside the ICU. The patient required prolonged ventilatory support, repeat intubation, tracheostomy, targeted treatment for multidrug-resistant bacterial and fungal infections, intensive physiotherapy and continuous critical care monitoring.
After weeks of relentless efforts by the multidisciplinary team, the patient gradually recovered. His infection markers reduced, cardiac function stabilized, ventilatory support was successfully withdrawn and the tracheostomy tube was eventually removed. He was finally discharged breathing comfortably on room air.
Dr. Vinod Bhan and Dr. Romil Dutt Sharma, Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeons, termed the case among the most challenging cardiac emergencies managed at the hospital.
“This was not just a surgery but a prolonged fight for life. Managing severe infective valvular disease along with respiratory failure, overwhelming infection and prolonged ventilator dependence required extraordinary teamwork and continuous critical care support,” they said.
The successful outcome highlights the advanced capabilities available under one roof at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital — one of the few centres in the region equipped with dedicated Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, advanced CTVS ICU, Anaesthesia & Critical Care and multidisciplinary emergency support capable of handling highly complex life-threatening cardiac conditions round-the-clock.
Functioning under the aegis of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the hospital continues to strengthen tertiary healthcare services in Jammu & Kashmir. Through sustained investment in infrastructure, technology and specialist services, the Shrine Board has enabled patients from the region to access world-class advanced cardiac care closer to home.
