NIMS Doctors Heal Rare Heart Disorder in Two Patients

Hyderabad: Doctors at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (Nims) have successfully treated a rare and potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorder in two young patients using advanced radio frequency ablation (RFA), offering them complete recovery and restored heart function.

The patients were suffering from persistent ventricular premature contractions (VPCs), presenting as ventricular bigeminy — a condition in which nearly every alternate heartbeat is abnormal. Both had an extremely high VPC burden of around 40–50 per cent, meaning almost half of their heartbeats were irregular. If left untreated, this can lead to progressive weakening of the heart muscle, known as VPC-induced cardiomyopathy, said Dr Sai Satish, senior professor of cardiology and head of unit at NIMS.

One of the patients, a 31-year-old woman, had been battling frequent VPCs for the last two years, which resulted in severe left ventricular dysfunction.

In tears, her husband, who works as an office boy, explained that his insurance was utilised and debts of over one lakh were incurred. During her third pregnancy, the abnormal rhythm and poor heart function placed her at high risk, forcing termination of pregnancy, but they did not find a solution. They later approached NIMS for treatment and today she has rejoined her two daughters at home after the procedure. “I would fall with dizziness and severe pain for five minutes in my chest. I also felt heaviness and realised there was something wrong with heavy breathing,” added Nirisha R.

The second patient, a 20-year-old man, had been experiencing breathlessness and symptoms related to severe left ventricular dysfunction for six months before seeking care at NIMS.

Speaking with Deccan Chronicle, Mudassir said: “I run my father’s meat shop and I had this heavy breathing. Initially I was on medication but it did not solve the problem. After the RFA treatment, I am relieved.”

Using state-of-the-art 3D electro-anatomical mapping, the cardiology team precisely identified the origin of the abnormal electrical signals. In one patient, the arrhythmia focus was located in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), while in the other it was found near the left coronary cusp (LCC) of the aorta, dangerously close to the left main coronary artery — a region where ablation is technically challenging and demands high precision, added Dr Sai Satish.

Post-procedure monitoring showed a reduction in VPC burden from about 40 per cent to zero. Follow-up 3D echocardiography and strain analysis revealed significant improvement in heart function along with complete relief from symptoms. Both patients are on medication and require no further treatment for any heart ailment.

Both were treated free of cost under the Aarogyasri scheme.