A rare congenital heart defect meets a modern surgical solution at BM Birla Heart Hospital

Dr Amanul Haque explains how Cone Repair helped restore normal heart function for a young woman with Ebstein anomaly

Kolkata, January 2026: A rare congenital heart condition affecting fewer than one per cent of patients worldwide was successfully treated through advanced cardiac surgery at BM Birla Heart Hospital, offering a renewed quality of life to a young woman who had struggled with persistent symptoms for years.
The 32 year old patient, a resident of Kolkata, had been experiencing worsening breathlessness and frequent palpitations for nearly two years. Despite undergoing a hole in the heart closure procedure in 2022, her symptoms did not resolve, prompting further evaluation. Detailed cardiac investigations later confirmed Ebstein anomaly, a complex congenital defect marked by abnormal positioning of the tricuspid valve, severe valve leakage, and enlargement of the right side of the heart.

Given the patient’s age and progressive symptoms, surgical intervention became essential. The cardiac surgery team, led by Amanul Haque, Consultant Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon at BM Birla Heart Hospital, opted for the Cone Repair procedure, an advanced technique designed to reconstruct the patient’s own tricuspid valve rather than replacing it with an artificial implant.
During the surgery, the malformed valve leaflets were carefully mobilised, reshaped into a cone like structure, and reattached to the true valve annulus. This approach restored near normal valve anatomy and function while correcting the severe leakage. By preserving the patient’s native valve tissue, the procedure significantly reduced the likelihood of future reoperations and avoided long term complications commonly associated with artificial valves.

Explaining the rationale behind the approach, Dr Amanul Haque said the Cone Repair allows surgeons to restore the valve almost anatomically while maintaining durability over time. He noted that for younger patients, preserving the natural valve tissue plays a critical role in achieving better long term outcomes and sustaining normal cardiac function.
Following the surgery, the patient demonstrated marked improvement in heart performance. Her breathlessness reduced significantly, exercise tolerance improved, and recovery progressed without complications. She is now preparing to return to an active and unrestricted lifestyle.

The case highlights how specialised surgical expertise, combined with patient centred decision making, can deliver meaningful outcomes even in rare and complex congenital heart conditions. It also reflects BM Birla Heart Hospital’s continued focus on advanced cardiac care supported by precision surgery and compassionate clinical practice.

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