Kolkata, January 11, 2026: What began as a routine investigation for a 78-year-old woman for persistent hoarseness of voice, led to the diagnosis of a rare and life-threatening cardiaccondition. The woman diagnosed with a large aneurysm (abnormal swelling) of the aortic arch – the main blood vessel supplying blood from the heart to the brain and the rest of the body. The team of doctors led by Dr. Sanjoy Sengupta, Consultant – Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur successfully conducted a challenging 8-hour-long surgery on the aortic arch. Swelling of the aortic arch, often referred to as an aortic arch aneurysm, is considered rare, accounting for less than 10%, and are associated with a high risk of rupture and stroke.
The patient had been suffering from persistent hoarseness of voice along with pain in her upper chest and neck for several days. She also had a medical history of a recent mild stroke as well as a prior cerebrovascular event, placing her in an extremely high-risk category. Upon admission at the hospital, detailed medical investigations revealed a large abnormal swelling in her heart’s aortic arch, which was compressing the nerve supplying the vocal cords and causing hoarseness. What initially appeared to be a benign voice complaint was thus diagnosed as a potentially life-threatening cardiac emergency, further compounded by the patient’s advanced age and previous strokes.
The enlarged aortic arch also significantly increased the risk of further strokes by sending small clots to the brain. Prior to surgery, doctors carefully stabilized the patient and carried out a thorough neurological assessment. Despite the high surgical risks, the patient was cleared for the surgery. The medical team surgically removed the diseased section of the aortic arch and replaced it with an artificial graft. During the operation, blood flow was briefly stopped during the procedure, while the brain was protected using controlled cooling techniques. The surgery was successful and the patient was discharged in a stable condition within a week.
Giving details of the case, Dr. Sanjoy Sengupta, Consultant – Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur said, “Aortic arch surgery is among the most challenging cardiac procedures, as it requires temporarily stopping blood flow while ensuring adequate brain protection. Following surgery, the patient had a delayed recovery and remained unconscious for two days. However, she showed a dramatic
improvement on the third day, regaining consciousness, coming off the ventilator support, and speaking clearly. By the fourth day, she was fully alert, talking, and neurologically stable. She made steady progress
and was discharged in stable condition on the seventh day. Today, the patient is doing well and has returned to a normal life.”
Ashish Mukherjee, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Anandapur said, “This case highlights Fortis Hospital, Anandapur’s expertise in handling high-risk, complex cardiac and vascular surgeries, backed by advanced infrastructure, skilled specialists, and seamless multidisciplinary teamwork, once again reinforcing its position as a leading centre of excellence in cardiac care.”
