BM Birla Heart Hospital’s Advanced Cardiac Technology Gave a 13-Year-Old Her Life Back

For Neela Mondal, a 13-year-old girl from Birbhum district, life had been unusually tough. She had suffered recurring bouts of sudden, rapid heartbeats—sometimes lasting as long as an hour. These bouts had an impact on her ability to go to school, engage in activities, or live without fear. But her complaints were frequently dismissed as anxiety or exam stress—a frequent misperception that many adolescents, especially girls, face. Luckily, her journey took her to BM Birla Heart Hospital in Kolkata, where she was treated by Dr. Rakesh Sarkar, Senior Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist.

Most heart rhythm disorders are misdiagnosed as psychological problems in young patients,” Dr. Sarkar said. “In Neela’s case, the symptoms were clear pointers towards an underlying electrical issue in the heart.”

Fortunately, due to an on-time ECG during one of her attacks, Dr. Sarkar was able to diagnose her with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)—specifically, an AVRT, due to an abnormal heart electrical circuit .What ensued was a life-altering intervention: Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA). This was done as a minimally invasive procedure in BM Birla’s state-of-the-art Electrophysiology (EP) Lab, within its state-of-the-art Cath Lab—one of the most sophisticated cardiac care facilities in Eastern India.

With the assistance of 3D mapping systems, real-time fluoroscopy, and a specialized EP recording console, Dr. Sarkar and his team steered catheters through Neela’s veins to her heart. They accurately located and destroyed the abnormal electrical tissue, effectively eliminating the faulty circuit responsible for her symptoms.

“This technology enables us to visualize the electrical system of the heart in real time, with tremendous precision. It’s not diagnosis—it’s precision therapy,” explained Dr. Sarkar. “And in the absence of such advancement, such cases frequently go undiagnosed or undertreated for years.”

BM Birla Heart Hospital is one of the limited centers in the country with a specialized EP Lab, providing the complete gamut of services from electrophysiological studies to intricate ablation procedures. It is this blend of infrastructure and skill that facilitated Neela’s recovery. Since the surgery in March, Neela has been back in school and living her life—spared from the paralyzing attacks that used to dictate her days. Her parents, who once were anxious and unsure, now talk in relief and thankfulness.

Her tale is one not only of medical triumph, but of caring nurtured by technological advancement. It’s a reminder that in the right hands, with the right equipment, even the most evasive afflictions can be eradicated. As Dr. Sarkar describes it, “The heart is more than an organ—it’s rhythm, emotion, and life. At BM Birla, we are committed to preserving all three”.