Patient Details

Name: Mr. Sylvester Gaso

Age: 65 Years

Gender: Male

Country of Origin: Papua New Guinea

Doctor: Dr. Naresh Trehan

Hospital: Medanta - The Medicity, Gurugram, India

Treatment: Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) with three grafts

Watch Mr. Sylvester Gaso share his full experience in the video below

Mr. Sylvester Gaso, aged 65, from Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, had been managing high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes for some years. What brought matters to a head was breathlessness whenever he exerted himself, along with swelling in his feet. Investigations showed that he had coronary artery disease, and that he had recently been through an acute coronary syndrome, the medical term for a sudden reduction in the heart’s blood supply.

Further tests showed the problem was not confined to one artery. All three main arteries supplying his heart were narrowed by calcified deposits, a pattern known as triple vessel disease. For blockages of this kind, stents are often not the answer, and doctors advised bypass surgery, which treats all the affected arteries in a single operation.

That advice left the family facing a decision they felt unprepared for. Open heart surgery was not something they wanted to arrange close to home, and travelling abroad for it raised every practical question at once. Which hospital and surgeon could they trust with a heart operation? What would it cost? And how would a man with diabetes and a recent cardiac event manage a long journey safely? It was a local doctor who knew of Vaidam Health who put the family in touch with the team.

Mr. Sylvester shared his medical reports and angiography findings with the Vaidam team, which the team shared with leading cardiac surgeons for expert evaluation. He received expert opinions, a clear treatment plan and a transparent cost estimate. The team guided Mr. Sylvester and his family through every step, explaining the surgery procedure, the expected hospital stay and what recovery could look like for someone managing diabetes alongside heart disease. After reviewing the available options and medical advice, Mr. Sylvester decided to travel to India for treatment and chose Dr. Naresh Trehan and his team at Medanta - The Medicity, Gurugram.

Vaidam then handled the practical side of his heart surgery in India. The support included the medical visa invitation letter, airport pickup, help with finding accommodation near the hospital for the family, appointment scheduling and hospital coordination, a dedicated case manager available throughout the stay, and follow-up support after returning home.

Mr. Sylvester travelled to Gurugram with his wife and daughter, who stayed with him for the whole trip. He was admitted on 10 September 2026, and the team used the first few days to stabilise him and complete a thorough assessment. An echocardiogram showed his heart muscle was still pumping well, and scans of the arteries in his neck and legs were done to plan the surgery safely. His diabetes and blood pressure were brought under control before he was cleared for theatre.

On 14 September 2026, he underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting with three grafts. In a bypass operation, surgeons use healthy blood vessels from elsewhere in the body to carry blood around blocked sections of the coronary arteries. In Mr. Sylvester’s case, the internal mammary artery from the chest wall was used for the main artery at the front of the heart, and vein grafts taken from the thigh were used for the other two vessels. The surgery was performed off-pump, meaning the heart was left beating throughout rather than being stopped and placed on a heart-lung machine. Surgeons choose this approach for suitable patients, and it can be particularly helpful for those managing other conditions such as diabetes.

His recovery followed the expected path. He was gradually weaned off the ventilator, the breathing tube was removed, and he was moved to the post-operative ward. During this period, he developed an irregular heart rhythm, a common and well-recognised occurrence after cardiac surgery. A heart rhythm specialist was consulted, monitoring was carried out over 24 hours, and the rhythm was managed with medication. His wound healed well, his breastbone was stable, and he was discharged in a stable condition on 22 September 2026.

He stayed in India afterwards for his wound checks and reviews, including a separate follow-up with the diabetes team, and followed the chest physiotherapy and breathing exercises taught to him in hospital, building up gentle walking as advised. 

Over a total stay of about one month in India, the Vaidam team stayed in regular contact with him, his wife, and his daughter, helping with appointments and day-to-day needs. He returned to Papua New Guinea with his medicines and a clear recovery plan.

Sharing his experience, Mr. Sylvester said:

“When I found out that three of my arteries were blocked, my family and I were scared. We had many questions, but the Vaidam team was always there to help us. They explained everything clearly and helped with hospital arrangements, the visa letter, and travel and accommodation for my wife and daughter. We did not have to manage everything on our own. Dr. Naresh Trehan and the team at Medanta took good care of me. I am happy that I came to India for my treatment, and I am going back home now to Papua New Guinea with my family.”

For Mr. Sylvester and his family, the journey to India was not an easy decision, especially with the risks involved in his heart condition. With the surgery completed and his recovery progressing well, they could finally look ahead with greater peace of mind. The support of his wife and daughter throughout this time was an important part of his journey.

Vaidam Health wishes Mr. Sylvester Gaso a steady recovery, good health, and many happy years ahead with his wife, his daughter, and the rest of his family in Papua New Guinea. It was a privilege to support them through this journey.