Aizawl: Doctors at the state‑run Zoram Medical College and Hospital (ZMC&H) have successfully carried out the institution's first open‑heart operation, officials said on August 20. The complex coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was performed on a 69‑year‑old patient diagnosed with Triple Vessel Disease, marking a milestone in cardiac care available within Mizoram.
Details of the operation
The surgical team, led by resident cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Mary Hmingthantluangi with support from Dr Intekhab Alam of a private hospital in Guwahati, completed the CABG procedure in around six-and-a-half hours. During the operation the patient's heart was temporarily stopped and circulation maintained using a heart‑lung machine, the hospital said.
Surgeons utilised a segment of the patient's saphenous vein from the leg and the left internal mammary artery (LIMA) from the chest to bypass the obstructed coronary arteries and restore blood flow to the heart muscle. The patient, who had suffered a heart attack about six months earlier, was diagnosed with severe blockages in three main coronary vessels — a condition commonly termed Triple Vessel Disease.
Post‑operative care and team composition
A medical officer at ZMC&H reported that the operation was successful and the patient is being closely monitored in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The hospital said the procedure involved a multidisciplinary team including anaesthesiologists, cardiologists and specialised nursing staff who provided perioperative support.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Patient age | 69 years |
| Diagnosis | Triple Vessel Disease |
| Procedure | Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) |
| Duration | Approximately 6.5 hours |
| Support | Heart‑lung machine; multi‑disciplinary team |
Significance for state health services
Health authorities described the operation as a landmark for the lone medical college in Mizoram. Performing open‑heart surgery locally could reduce the need for patients to travel outside the state for advanced cardiac procedures, lowering financial and logistical burdens for families and potentially improving timely access to care.
- First open‑heart surgery performed at ZMC&H in Aizawl.
- Operation conducted on a 69‑year‑old with prior heart attack and Triple Vessel Disease.
- Multidisciplinary team used both saphenous vein and LIMA grafts; patient in ICU post‑op.
Official response
Mizoram Health Minister Lalrinpuii conveyed appreciation for the surgical team's effort and commitment in enabling the procedure at the state institution, the hospital said.
Context and practical implications
Complex cardiac procedures such as CABG usually require specialised infrastructure, surgical expertise and postoperative critical care facilities. By completing this operation, ZMC&H demonstrates capacity to undertake high‑risk cardiac surgery under institutional settings. For patients and families in Mizoram this can mean:
- Reduced necessity for inter‑state referrals to large tertiary hospitals outside Mizoram.
- Shorter travel times and lower associated costs for treatment.
- Potentially quicker access to emergency cardiac interventions and follow‑up care.
The hospital has not released further clinical details about the patient's ongoing condition beyond stating that close observation in the ICU is under way. Officials did not provide a timeline for discharge or rehabilitation, nor did they share plans for expanding the cardiac surgery programme at the college beyond this operation.
As ZMC&H continues postoperative care and evaluates the outcomes, the successful operation will be closely watched by health administrators and clinicians within the region as an indicator of expanding specialised services in Mizoram.
