Innovative cardiac surgery saves Thai expatriate’s life
dubai — A modified technique in an innovative cardiac surgery method saved the life of a 37-yearold expat from Thailand. Surgeons at Dubai Hospital used a method that was not practised before to repair the defect and minimise the damage caused to the heart, which could have led to death of the patient.
The emergency surgery that lasted 18 hours was carried out to correct a Type A Aortic dissection, which is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate surgical intervention, according to the top official of the hospital.
“In cardiothoracic surgery, we have carried out several such complicated cases and this is due to the highly-qualified doctors, nurses and technicians, we have and the use of latest technology to provide the highest quality of patient-centric care,” said Abdulrahman Al Jassmi, CEO of Dubai Hospital.
Dr Obaid Al Jassim and Dr Bassil Al Zamkan, senior consultants in cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery, said: “Aortic dissection is at the forefront of complex operations, in terms of risk and direct threat to a patient’s life. In such situations, quick and precise intervention is necessary as this condition can lead to massive bleeding around the heart and shut down the body’s vital organs such as the brain, kidneys, liver and can lead to immediate death.
“Aortic dissection is a serious life-threatening condition in which the inner layer of the aorta (the large blood vessel branching off the heart) tears. Blood surges through the tear, causing the inner and middle layers of the aorta to separate (dissect). In this case, the patient underwent three month before stenting of the
We have carried out several complicated cases and...provide the highest quality of patient-centric care.”
Abdulrahman Al Jassmi, CEO of Dubai Hospital
whole aortic dissection type B which means the stent reached the proximal part the ascending aorta, including two of the three major blood vessels, which supply the brain,” said the doctors.
Therefore, the doctors said it was a big challenge to repair the defect in the stented area and in the same time to maintain the blood flow to the brain.
“We decided to modify a technique in an innovative method, which was not practised before to repair the defect and to minimise all the high risk of these procedures and to save the patient’s life. This was needed to stop the bleeding, replace the torn blood vessels and ensure the functioning of the heart.”
For this type of an open-heart surgery, extensive preparation is needed. A rare smart and advanced technique that provides a continuous supply of blood to the brain throughout the surgery, even when blood circulation to the rest of the body is stopped, was also used. The patient who was transferred immediately to the surgical ICU then to the ward was discharged after two weeks in excellent condition.