In India, where cardiac care often intersects with late diagnoses and limited resources, a cardiac surgeon must possess not only cutting-edge surgical expertise but also deep compassion to navigate the complexities of treating delicate paediatric hearts and intricate adult conditions. This rare blend ensures patients receive precise life-saving inter -ventions alongside genuine, empathetic care. Dr Yatin Arora exemplifies this extraordinary combination, tirelessly advancing cardiac surgery while dedicating himself to restoring hope and health in even the most challenging cases.

Dr Yatin Arora’s journey into the intricate world of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery is a story of dedication, relentless pursuit of expertise, and a deep-seated desire to heal the most vulnerable hearts. Currently serving as Senior Consultant and Unit Head at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Dr Yatin brings formidable qualifications to the operating table. After earning his MBBS from Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, he completed his MS at PGI Chandigarh, followed by an MCh in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery from AIIMS, New Delhi. Further honing his craft, he secured a prestigious fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and is a diplomat of the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

His foray into this demanding specialty stemmed from a clear vision, which is to treat the sickest hearts, especially those that many shy away from due to complexity. “I wanted to step into a niche where I could make a difference. My passion is in pediatric cardiac surgery, where I can help children born with congenital heart defects reclaim their futures”, says Dr Yatin Arora.

Mastering Complex Hearts with Precision

Dr Yatin’s expertise spans a vast spectrum of procedures. For adults, he regularly performs off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), intricate valve repairs and replacements, and critical aortic surgeries addressing aneurysms and dissections. Adult cardiac surgeries tend to be more consistent, with CABGs now having less than one percent mortality. In contrast, paediatric cases require far more delicate handling, the

hearts are tiny, the surgeries intricate, and outcomes rely heavily on precision and post-operative care. His paediatric repertoire includes repairing simple defects like ASD, VSD, and PDA, as well as managing complex conditions such as TAPVC, TGA, and single ventricle physiology.

For Dr Yatin Arora, practicing in a developing nation has meant navigating unique hurdles throughout his career. He often finds that the greatest challenge is not the complexity of the surgery itself, but the financial constraints faced by many patients who simply cannot afford the treatments they need. While he appreciates the support provided by schemes like Ayushman Bharat, he is keenly aware of the significant gaps that still exist. Through his extensive work across various hospitals, he has also developed a deep respect for the role of robust infrastructure and highly trained support staff in achieving successful outcomes. He believes that cardiac surgery demands more than individual expertise, it relies on a coordinated team of anaesthetists, intensivists, nurses, and technicians, all working seamlessly to ensure every patient receives the highest standard of care.

Dr Yatin Arora emphasizes meticulous pre-surgical planning and teamwork, carefully outlining multiple strategies with his team to ensure the best outcomes in complex procedures. As an accomplished academician, he has authored over 20 national and international publications, documenting rare cases, case series, and conducting RCTs. Through this work, he contributes to advancing cardiac surgery world wide, helping other surgeons learn from challenging scenarios and strengthening the global medical community.

Dr Yatin Arora combines unmatched surgical skill with deep compassion, restoring fragile hearts and inspiring hope in every patient he treats

Driving Innovation & Lifesaving Breakthroughs

Embracing innovation is another cornerstone of Dr Yatin Arora’s distinguished practice. He actively integrates advanced technologies like robotics into cardiac surgery, making procedures less invasive, shortening hospital stays, and enabling patients to recover much faster than before. Patients who once remained hospitalized for five days now begin walking the next day and are often discharged within two days, a transformation he finds deeply rewarding. Staying at the forefront of these advancements, he regularly attends national and international CMEs and workshops to continually refine his skills and bring the best to his patients.

One of the most defining moments in his career was operating on a 48-hour-old newborn whose heart rate had dangerously dropped to just 30-40 beats per minute. Performing an emergency pacemaker implantation on such a tiny, fragile heart was both intense and inspiring, and seeing the child grow into a thriving two-year-old remains one of his proudest achievements. His outstanding contributions have earned him accolades such as a fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons and a first prize at the national IACTS conference. Looking ahead, he is committed to advancing both surgical excellence and preventive cardiac care, educating the public on early intervention and healthier lifestyles to protect the heart.

In conclusion, Dr Yatin Arora exemplifies the perfect blend of surgical mastery, compassion, and commitment to innovation. Through his expertise in both adult and paediatric cardiac care, dedication to meticulous teamwork, and drive to advance global cardiac surgery, he continues to transform countless lives. He remains focused on delivering world-class care while educating the public on heart health, truly shaping a healthier future.