Hyderabad : In a powerful example of how every minute counts in emergency care, doctors at CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, saved the life of Mr. Panthangi Dhanunjayudu, a 48-year-old man from Vijayawada, morbidly obese above 100 Kgs. He arrived in critical condition from outstation with severe breathlessness, dangerously low oxygen levels, rapidly failing heart function, along with multiple comorbidities.
Mr. Dhanunjayudu, a morbidly obese patient with diabetes-related kidney disease, was diagnosed with a massive pericardial effusion—a large collection of fluid around the heart that was compressing the cardiac chambers and severely affecting blood circulation.
Family members said the patient’s condition had deteriorated rapidly during transit, and by the time he reached Hyderabad, he was struggling to breathe and slipping into a critical cardiac emergency.
Given his unstable condition and the technical difficulty of conventional drainage, the Emergency team quickly stabilized him while the multidisciplinary Heart Team, led by cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery specialists, made the swift decision to perform an emergency pericardial window procedure.
During the high-risk emergency surgery, doctors successfully removed 750 ml of fluid from around the heart, immediately relieving pressure and restoring cardiac function.
Doctors stated that delayed treatment in such cases can rapidly lead to cardiac tamponade, multi-organ failure, and sudden cardiac death, making immediate emergency intervention absolutely critical.
Following the procedure, the patient was shifted to intensive care for close monitoring and advanced supportive management. After 72 hours of intensive care, the patient was extubated, recovered steadily, and was discharged home walking in stable condition.
“This patient came to us with extremely low chances of survival. His recovery highlights the critical importance of rapid emergency stabilization, quick clinical decision-making, and the availability of expert specialists working together under one roof. Timely intervention made all the difference.”- Dr. V. Surya Prakasa Rao, Clinical Director & Head of Cardiology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills
“This case reflects the strength of our emergency response systems and multidisciplinary expertise. When time-sensitive decisions are backed by experienced teams and advanced infrastructure, even the most critical patients can make remarkable recoveries.” – Mr. Abhinav Joshi, Hospital Chief Operating Officer, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills.