Affordable life saving BT Shunt Treatment in India

Overview

It is said that the heart is the source of life in all the living beings. It is a very sophisticated and complex yet delicate organ that handles a task that no other organ may have the capacity to manage. The heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body with no rest. Without the heart, there is no possibility of life.
Such a delicate and important organ should be taken care of as much as possible to retain the longevity and the general well-being of human kind. Heart complications that unfortunately occur in children are but a curse on the child as well as the parents. A congenital defect related to the heart is even more heart-wrenching than any other. Having to see one’s own newborn child suffer through such a malicious disorder is something that no one should ever have to go through.

What is BT Shunt?

The Blalock-Thomas-Taussig shunt or Blalock-Taussig shunt, more commonly known as BT shunt is a surgical procedure that is used as a temporary or palliative treatment to ensure that the infant suffering with a certain type of heart defect may get enough oxygen until a surgery can be scheduled for a more permanent solution. The shunt is made up of a synthetic material.
This procedure increases the pulmonary blood flow in duct to deal with heart defects like Tetralogy of Fallot or Transposition of the Great Arteries that cause blue baby syndrome. Blue baby syndrome is a phenomenon that occurs when deoxygenated blood bypasses the lungs and travels to the rest of the body via the circulatory system.
 

What happens in BT Shunt procedure?

BT shunt treatment is a closed heart procedure in which the process is carried through an incision to the ribcage on either the right or the left side of the child’s back. The shunt is then attached to a portion of the blood vessel in the arm and to the pulmonary artery which makes a direct connection between the lungs and the aorta. This allows for more blood flow to the lungs and also improves the oxygen levels which in turn will relieve any blueness the may be present due to oxygen deficiency in the child.

In the case of defects like tetralogy of fallot, the oxygen levels and other symptoms are considered before scheduling an operation. The BT shunt is placed first after which another surgery is scheduled before 6 months for a permanent repair of the defect. This surgery usually involves removing of the pulmonary obstruction, closing the ventricular septal defect (VSD) and may also include the enlarging of the pulmonary artery if necessary.
The BT shunt is generally used for a temporary period which is usually 6 months at the most until the time arises when the child may need another shunt or a repair surgery. The infant will most likely be prescribed an anticoagulant such as aspirin to prevent the clots from blocking the shunt.

Risks involved in the Blalock-Taussig shunt procedure

Any surgical procedure carries with it a certain amount of risks. Some surgeries though might be even more risky than others and may turn out to be fatal if not done properly or if done by untrained personnel. Some of the risks involved in the BT shunt treatment are

• As the procedure entails the use of general anaesthesia, the general risks associated to anaesthesia like allergies, cardiovascular complications etc. are prevalent
• There is always a risk of bleeding since the blood vessels are isolated and opened during the procedure
• If the incision is done improperly, then the nearby tissues and structures such as the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the phrenic nerve may sustain temporary or sometimes even permanent damaged
• Through either anaesthesia or nerve damage, the infant might experience breathing difficulties
• Lymphatic channels may also be damaged which may result in chylothorax, a type of pleural effusion or fluid build-up in the lungs
• As the material used in this procedure is synthetic, there may be an increased chance of infection
• There may be excessive blood flow to the lungs which may damage the blood vessels or decrease the flow of blood to the brain and the body
• There is also a general risk of the shunt getting blocked leading to a plethora of complications
• In some instances, the patient may not be able to tolerate the placement of a vascular clamp on the pulmonary artery

Benefits of BT Shunt Treatment in India

The procedure for the insertion of the shunt is a very delicate one and has to be done with the utmost precision. If the performing surgeon is not an experienced one, then the procedure may lead to dire consequences and result in a less than pleasant outcome.
Opting to undergo BT shunt surgery in India is more beneficial than undergoing the procedure in any other country. India has been known across the globe for being the best destination to undergo any type of medical procedure. People from all parts of the world travel to India to get various kinds of treatments as the prices of medical procedures in India are very less in comparison to the developed countries like UK, USA, and Germany etc.
The medical technology in India is as advanced, if not more as that of the western countries. The medical facilities available in India can rival that of the most advanced countries and yet prove to be less pricey. The cost of BT shunt surgery in India can vary depending on the choice of the city and the hospital that the patient may opt for.
Affordable BT shunt treatment in India may span in the range of 50-70% price of that of the same treatment availed in the developed nations. The surgeons in India are also renowned for being the best in their respective disciplines. The surgeons in India are immensely experienced having performed complex and sophisticated surgeries in countries like Switzerland, Netherlands, France, UK, Canada and many more.
India has the accessibility to the best treatments possible for heart defects with the procedures not turning into a financial nightmare. Sifting through any websites for BT shunt surgery reviews in India will cement one’s credence in the medical capacity of India’s hospitals and surgeons.
 

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