Doctors at Amrita Hospital in Faridabad successfully performed a remarkable fourth open-heart surgery on a 52-year-old patient from Pune, leaving his chest open for 24 hours to control dangerous bleeding. The operation, performed on August 12, included an emergency bypass after a torn artery worsened the situation. 

Senior cardiac surgeon Dr Sameer Bhate, who conducted the operation, stated that the surgical team faced "multiple challenges" during the 11-hour surgery. "Halfway during the treatment, we accidentally tore one of his cardiac arteries. It needed to be corrected quickly with a bypass. We opted to leave his chest open and gently compress it for 24 hours before closing it the next day. These are not normal actions, but sometimes making painful decisions is the only way to save a life," he explained. 

According to hospital officials, the patient, Prashant Chandrkant Zalke, had already undergone three open-heart procedures for rheumatic heart disease during the last two decades. His previous procedures comprised valve replacements in 2002, 2012, and 2022, followed by a mechanical aortic valve in 2024. Doctors in Pune had already advised against another procedure, citing the significant risk. 

Following his recuperation, Zalke stated, "In Pune, I was told there was no hope." The meeting with Dr Bhate changed everything. He was honest and acknowledged it would be difficult, but he was willing to try. Today, I'm living, breathing, and steadily regaining strength." 

Dr Sudhir Bhate, a prominent consultant and Dr Sameer's father, participated in the surgery. "This was one of the most complex cases we have seen, but coordinated planning and precision made it possible," he said in a hospital release. 

Experts point out that recurrent open-heart surgeries are uncommon due to the cumulative hazards of scar formation, reduced cardiac function, and increased surgical complexity. According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), repeat valve replacement surgeries had much greater mortality rates, making successful outcomes unusual.  

According to hospital officials, Zalke has been discharged in stable condition and returned to Pune. "We will continue to closely monitor for the next six months," Dr Sameer Bhate remarked. "The next steps include rehabilitation and strict follow-up to ensure his heart function remains stable."