Doctors at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad, have successfully treated a complex heart rhythm disorder in a 30-year-old.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Doctors at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad, have successfully treated a complex heart rhythm disorder in a 30-year-old man using advanced three-dimensional (3D) mapping and radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive procedure used to destroy the area of heart tissue causing abnormal electrical activity. The procedure was performed free of cost under the Aarogyasri scheme.The patient had developed breathlessness on exertion and chest pain two years ago. Investigations at multiple hospitals showed frequent ventricular premature contractions (VPCs), or extra heartbeats originating from the lower chambers of the heart.As his symptoms worsened, a cardiac MRI showed that his left ventricle had enlarged and was not pumping blood normally. He was advised to undergo an electrophysiological study (EPS) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA), but due to financial constraints, he came to NIMS.At NIMS, Dr. O. Sai Satish, Senior Professor of Cardiology, evaluated the patient. A Holter monitor showed an extremely high burden of abnormal heartbeats. Doctors then performed EPS and RFA using 3D electroanatomical mapping, which creates a three-dimensional map of the heart’s electrical activity to locate the source of an abnormal rhythm.The mapping identified the abnormal electrical focus just below the left coronary cusp of the aortic valve and close to the left coronary artery. The abnormal focus responsible for the VPCs and ventricular tachycardia was successfully ablated without damaging the coronary artery or aortic valve.The patient recovered without complications, with post-procedure ECG and Holter monitoring showing complete suppression of the VPCs and a return to normal heart rhythm. Published - September 03, 2026 07:19 pm IST
