Truncus Arteriosus Treatment in India

Pari Verma is a 3-week-old infant,...

Pari Verma is a 3-week-old infant, the first child of young parents who immigrated from India. She was born full-term but immediately appeared dusky and struggled to feed. Her pediatrician heard a loud heart murmur and noted weak pulses. An echocardiogram confirmed the diagnosis: Truncus Arteriosus, a rare defect where a single large vessel exits the heart instead of separate aorta and pulmonary arteries. Pari was experiencing heart failure and poor oxygenation. The pediatric cardiologist explained that without surgery, her condition was fatal. He recommended the complete repair, which would close the large ventricular septal defect and separate the pulmonary arteries from the single trunk, placing a conduit to connect the right ventricle to the lungs. At 4 weeks old, Pari underwent the complex open-heart surgery. The initial post-op period in the Cardiac ICU was tense, with her parents praying by her bedside as she was supported by a ventilator and medications. After two weeks, she began to turn a corner. Her color became a healthy pink, and she started bottle-feeding vigorously. Six weeks post-surgery, she was discharged home. Her parents' journey moved from the terror of a life-threatening diagnosis to immense relief and hope. They now monitor her closely, knowing she will need future conduit replacements, but they are overwhelmed with gratitude to have their vibrant, pink-cheeked daughter home.