Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 25: Dr. Vishal Khullar, an acclaimed Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Bandra, Mumbai, has successfully performed a redo mitral valve replacement paired with CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting). The success of this surgery reiterates his unparalleled expertise in complex cardiac rehabilitation and his commitment to patients.
Renowned for being the first Cardiovascular Surgeon in the Indian subcontinent to hold the position of Senior Associate Consultant at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA, Dr Vishal Khullar is now available in Mumbai and offers world-class cardiac care in India.
Explaining the case of a 54-year-old female patient in detail, who approached him with complaints of severe breathlessness just three years after her initial mitral valve replacement for rheumatic heart disease. He stated that the diagnostics, including a 2D echocardiogram, showed severe degeneration of her prosthetic tissue mitral valve and severe restenosis, alongside significant blockages in two coronary arteries. Hence, he recommended a critical second heart bypass surgery.
After receiving the patient’s and the family’s consent, Dr Khullar performed this challenging procedure, which included replacing the existing mitral valve with a durable mechanical valve and double bypass surgery. The surgery was successful, with a speedy recovery, and the patient has resumed a healthy and active life. She is now quite free from her earlier debilitating symptoms.
The surgical plan involved a second-time redo mitral valve replacement paired with bypass surgery. Dr. Khullar asserts that mechanical valves are the superior choice over tissue valves for patients under 65 without contraindications to blood thinners, as tissue valves tend to degenerate more rapidly. Mechanical valves, in contrast, can last a lifetime. Had the patient initially received a mechanical valve, angioplasty could have been a feasible alternative.
Rheumatic Heart Diseases – Understanding complexities and their resolution through redo surgeries.
Rheumatic Heart Disease is a debilitating condition accompanied by various challenges. It can cause progressive damage to heart valves, leading to issues like mitral stenosis – a narrowing of the mitral valve. Most cardiac surgeons recommend the use of tissue valves, which are less restrictive and can degenerate over time.
Dr Vishal Khullar, on the other hand, prefers to use mechanical valves as they are durable and long-lasting and can, to a certain extent, prevent the need for surgery in the future. Similarly, such patients can also have significant blockages in coronary arteries, known as double-vessel disease, and hence require a bypass surgery to restore vital blood flow to the heart muscle, making the case more complicated.
Dr. Khullar emphasizes that such surgeries are both critical and complicated. He mentions that during the surgery, apart from resolving the current issue, the cardiac surgeon has to pay attention to scar tissue, altered anatomy, and previous surgical alterations from the earlier surgery.
Dr. Khullar’s calm composure and knack for connecting with patients with empathy not only ease the anxiety bubble among patients and family members but also instill trust and faith in the doctor himself. Today, he is an active member of the transplant selection committee for donors and recipients, reflecting his comprehensive involvement in advanced cardiac care.
Expert and brilliant cardiac surgeon Dr Khullar has acquired his medical expertise during his stints at the Cleveland Clinic (ranked #1 globally for Heart Surgery) and Mayo Clinic (ranked #2 globally for Heart Surgery and #1 overall hospital).
He says, “I am fortunate for the opportunities at global leaders like Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic, which have solidified my resolve to bring that level of specialized care back home to India,” says Dr. Khullar. He adds, “I envision developing and leading a cutting-edge Heart & Lung Transplant Program in India for the patients to access optimal cardiac care without travelling abroad for such critical emergencies.”
For unparalleled expertise in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, including complex heart and lung procedures, patients can approach Dr Vishal Khullar for accurate diagnosis and guidance on the path forward, as well as a second opinion.
About Dr. Vishal Khullar
Dr. Vishal Khullar is one of India’s leading cardiovascular and thoracic surgeons, practising at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Bandra, Mumbai. With three decades of global experience, including senior roles at the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Khullar specializes in heart surgeries, lung transplant surgery, aortic root and arch replacement, and redo sternotomies. He is committed to providing optimal, cutting-edge medical care to patients in India, developing programs to fill the gap for highly specialized treatments.
Contact Dr. Khullar –
VLSR – The Clinic
2nd floor, Corinthian,
Linking Rd, opposite DBS bank,
Khar West, Mumbai,
Maharashtra 400052
Phone: +91-9987077880
