The septum is a wall that separates the heart’s left and right sides. Septal defects are some times called a "hole" in the heart. A defect between the heart’s two upper chambers (the atria) is called ASD. When there is a large defect between the atria, a large amount of oxygen–rich (red) blood leaks from the heart’s left side back to the right side. Then this blood is pumped back to the lungs, despite already having been refreshed with oxygen. This is inefficient, because already–oxygenated blood displaces blood that needs oxygen. Children with ASD suffer from poor appetite, poor growth, fatigue, shortness of breath and lung problems and infections, such as pneumonia. The treatment lies in closure of the ASD surgically.
Four–year–old baby Ayesha of Azampur village in Medak district underwent Intra Cardiac Repair for a medical condition called TOF (Tetralogy of Fallot). TOF is the most common congenital heart defect causing cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of skin caused by oxygen–poor blood reaching the general circulation. Without surgical intervention, most patients with TOF will not survive past early adulthood.
The normal cost for these surgeries is around 1.5 lakh rupees. For each surgery Chief Minister Relief fund has contributed Rs 65,000. Trust has approached members of the Rotary club of Jubilee hills who promised Rs 25,000 for each of these three surgeries.
For Dr. Gokhale and his committed colleagues, this is only the beginning. With support from philanthropists, "Sahrudaya" aims at relieving distress and agony among the poor afflicted with cardiac, pulmonary and vascular ailments and work towards prevention of these problems in the society.
 Baby J.Sweta, D/o Mr Umasankar, H.No:1–111/3, Thodithalagudem, Khammam Diagnosis–Congenital heart disease – Atrial septal defect Date of operation: 29–11–07 |
 Sponsored by: Rotary Club of Jubilee Hills Charitable Trust, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. Courtesy: Rtn Mrs Tummala Sharda Rao |
Know Your Heart
