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0 Marking a transformative milestone in cardiac care, Manipal Hospitals, the largest healthcare network in Eastern India, performed –Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (TEVAR) on a 72-year-old diabetic and hypertensive patient, Mr. Rabindra Kumar Sarkar. Under the supervision of Dr. Kaushik Mukherjee, Head of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS) and Dr. Shubhabrata Banerjee, Consultant Vascular Surgeon. It was discovered through a CT total aortography that a rare bulge in the major blood vessel (aorta) inside the chest was dangerously close to key arteries that supply blood to the brain and arms, making the condition potentially life-threatening and the treatment highly complex. This bulge, called an aneurysm, was pressing against a nerve that controls the voice box, causing his persistent hoarseness. This unusual condition, known as Ortner’s Syndrome or Cardio-vocal syndrome, only affects 1% to 3% of cases in India making it one of rarest case.
Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (TEVAR) is a procedure used to treat abnormal bulging of a blood vessel, usually in the aorta. Mr. Sarkar’s case was difficult as the aneurysm was found in a very tricky spot, just after the left subclavian artery (the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the upper limbs (arms), as well as parts of the neck and head) in the descending thoracic aorta, which is a sensitive area, close to major arteries that supply blood to the brain and arms. Despite the high-risk location, the clinicians successfully deployed the stent graft without an open-heart surgery or additional bypass, a testament to the surgical planning and advanced capabilities of the team of clinicians at Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria. The aneurysm was sealed, and critical vessels remained untouched. Most importantly, the patient went through the surgery on 26th May 2025, and was discharged within 2 days.
Elaborating on this rare case, Dr. Kaushik Mukherjee, Head of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS), Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, stated, “Mr. Sarkar came to us with hoarseness of voice, an unusual symptom for an aortic aneurysm, a rarest of rare cases. In fact, given his age and underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension, he was not a good candidate for open surgical repair of Aneurysm through thoracotomy. That is why we opted for a minimally invasive TEVAR procedure. It was technically demanding due to the aneurysm’s critical location, but we were able to successfully seal it without affecting vital blood flow, all while avoiding the risks of open surgery. His smooth recovery is a testament to the planning of our team. His voice has already started improving, and he is now on the path of healing completely.”
Dr. Shubhabrata Banerjee, Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, said, “Cases like this highlight how far vascular care has come in India. What once required complex open-chest surgery can now be managed through a small incision, thanks to advanced endovascular techniques available across Manipal Hospitals. This procedure was not just about treating an aneurysm, it was about safeguarding quality of life with minimal risk and saving his voice box as well. Our combined expertise allowed us to offer a solution that was both safe and effective for a patient who otherwise would have been a poor candidate for traditional surgery.”
The patient, Mr. Rabindra Kumar Sarkar, stated, “Before coming to Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria, I had consulted several physicians, including an ENT specialist, but no one could tell me the reason behind the hoarseness of my voice. When I finally came to Manipal Hospitals, I found not just answers, but life-saving care. I was told I had a serious condition near my heart, and at 72, with diabetes and high blood pressure, I knew surgery would be risky. But the doctors here gave me a new lease on life through a procedure that felt nothing short of miraculous. I walked in with doubt and walked out with hope.”
What makes Manipal Hospital different is not just scale, but the ability to respond in real time. Whether it’s a collapse during a stenting procedure or a post-surgical complication, the hospitals are equipped with 500+ critical care beds,75 expert cardiologists, 15 highly skilled cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons (CTVS), and seven advanced Cath Labs across all its units in Kolkata. 24×7 emergency teams, and in-house specialists ensuring no delay in life-saving decisions. Every year it carries out more than 30,000 cardiac procedures and over 3,000 cardiac surgeries
