R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, NOV 18
In an extraordinary medical accomplishment, SIMS Hospital has saved (Rare triple-organ rescue) the brain, heart and leg of a 29-year-old male who arrived with a recurrent stroke and simultaneous blood clots in three major organ systems—a combination so rare that neurologists describe it as almost unprecedented in young adults.
The patient, diagnosed earlier with Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APLA), had suffered a massive stroke in 2022 at age 26. A short interruption in his essential medication triggered a second, far more dangerous episode, beginning with slurred speech—symptoms he recognised immediately, prompting him to rush to SIMS Hospital. His swift response proved lifesaving, said Dr Raju Sivasamy, Vice President, SIMS Hospital on Monday.
- Doctors reverse recurrent stroke while simultaneously treating clots in heart and leg
- Multidisciplinary team executes high-risk thrombectomy and clot-dissolution in a single emergency window
- Case highlights rising stroke incidence among young Indians and the power of early action
The case was jointly managed by neurologists Dr Prabash Prabhakaran, Dr Vivek Iyer, interventional neurologists Dr Rithesh R. Nair, Dr S. Selvin, and vascular & endovascular surgeon Dr Sairam Subramaniam. The patient has since been discharged in stable condition and will require lifelong medication with strict follow-up.
Doctors highlighted that India reports 1.6 million new strokes annually, with rising incidence among people below 40—driven by sedentary lifestyles, stress, poor sleep, pollution exposure, microplastics, and metabolic disorders. The SIMS team emphasised that advances such as thrombolysis and modern mechanical thrombectomy have transformed stroke care, enabling doctors to restore blood flow even in smaller vessels. However, timely recognition and rapid hospital arrival remain the most decisive factors in saving brain function and preventing disability. This rare, triple-organ rescue underscores both the urgency of stroke awareness and the remarkable strides made by modern neurovascular care in India.
Reflecting on the extreme complexity of the case, Dr Vivek Iyer, Joint Director – Neurology, said: “This case was a true medical challenge. A 29-year-old presenting with a second stroke and simultaneous clots in three major organ systems is extremely rare. It is one of the most complex situations we have ever encountered, and it required a highly coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to manage the immediate threat and secure a positive long-term outcome.”
Stressing the importance of public awareness, Dr Prabash Prabhakaran, Director and Senior Consultant – Neurology, noted: “Stroke can affect people of any age, and knowing the symptoms is essential. This patient’s self-awareness and quick action were instrumental in his survival. Recognising the early signs of stroke and reaching the hospital without delay gave us a critical window to intervene.”
Detailed imaging confirmed clots in the brain, heart and right leg. The team performed an urgent surgical thrombectomy to remove the clot in the right femoral artery while simultaneously administering clot-dissolving medication targeted at the blockages in his heart and brain—an exceptionally difficult task due to the different risks and treatment strategies each organ demands.
Explaining the interventional challenge, Dr Rithesh R. Nair, Director and Senior Consultant, Interventional Neurology, said: “Our immediate goal was to restore blood flow. The thrombectomy in his leg was critical, but it had to be carried out while simultaneously treating the clots in his heart and brain. This case shows how far interventional neurology has advanced and how these techniques can be used to manage highly complex, multi-site clotting events.”
The patient Harsha was also present at the press conference.
Addressing the conference, the specialists stressed that proper lifestyle changes, good sleep and regular health check-ups is the need of the hour for those below age of 40.V
