Rare Bombay blood group patient survives high-risk heart surgery without transfusions

A 69-year-old man with the rare Bombay blood group has undergone a complex heart procedure without needing any blood transfusions. The surgery, performed at Kauvery Hospital in Vadapalani, combined aortic valve replacement with coronary artery bypass—both high-risk interventions for patients with this blood type.

The patient suffered from severe narrowing of the aortic valve and multiple blockages in his coronary arteries. These conditions required immediate surgery, but his Bombay blood group made the procedure exceptionally risky. This blood type, found in roughly one in 10,000 people, leaves almost no room for error due to the near-impossible availability of compatible blood.

To overcome this challenge, the surgical team adopted a strict blood conservation protocol. Led by Dr. Anbarasu Mohanraj, Clinical Lead and Senior Consultant in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, the team relied on precise techniques, careful anaesthetic control, and tight coordination between surgeons, anaesthetists, perfusion specialists, and nurses. The surgery's success rested on avoiding excessive bleeding while performing two major procedures simultaneously.

Dr. Aravindhan Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director of Kauvery Hospital, praised the team's skill in managing such a high-risk case. The hospital has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling complex cardiac challenges with advanced medical strategies.

The combined valve replacement and bypass surgery was completed without transfusions, a rare achievement for a patient with the Bombay blood group. This outcome highlights the importance of specialised protocols and teamwork in handling extreme medical scenarios. No public records exist of similar surgeries performed under these exact conditions elsewhere.