Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Cardiac surgeons of Dubai Hospital performed a complex emergency cardiac surgery that saved the life of a 37-year-old expatriate from Thailand.

The 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.

Abdulrahman Al Jassmi, CEO of Dubai Hospital said: “Dubai Hospital has been a pioneer in providing highly specialized care across a spectrum of health specialties. 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.”

Dr. Obaid Al Jassim & Dr. Bassil Al Zamkan, Senior Consultants in Cardiovascular & Cardiothoracic surgery at Dubai Hospital 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.”

In addition to Dr Al Jassim and Al Zamkan, who performed the surgery, the team consisted of Dr Tariq Abdul Aziz, senior specialist cardiac surgeon, Mohannad Al Asaad, Cardiothoracic specialist, Aseem Pawar Cardiothoracic specialist and  Dr Fayaz Qazi Consultant in cardiac anesthesia.  

Commenting on the condition, Dr Al Jassim and Al Zamkan said: “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 patient underwent three month before stenting of the whole Aortic dissection type B which means the stent reached the proximal part the ascending aortic including two of the three major vessels which supply the brain.”

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 practiced before to repair the defect and to minimize 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, to provide 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.

About the Dubai Health Authority:

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) was created, in June 2007, by Law 13 issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, with an expanded vision to include strategic oversight for the complete health sector in Dubai and enhance private sector engagement. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance is the President of the DHA and His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami is the Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the DHA.

The DHA’s aim in Dubai is to provide an accessible, effective and integrated healthcare system, protect public health and improve the quality of life within the Emirate. This is a direct translation of the objectives of the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Keeping the strategic plan in mind, the DHA’s mission is to ensure access to health services, maintain and improve the quality of these services, improve the health status of nationals, residents and visitors and oversee a dynamic, efficient and innovative health sector.

In addition to overseeing the health sector for the Emirate of Dubai, the DHA also focuses on providing services through DHA healthcare facilities including hospitals (Latifa, Dubai, Rashid and Hatta), specialty centres (e.g. the Dubai Diabetes Centre) and DHA primary health centres spread throughout the Emirate of Dubai.

The main pillars of service delivery at DHA health facilities are quality, efficiency, patients and staff.  It is our aim to maintain and improve the quality and efficiency of DHA health services. An important aspect of the service delivery strategy is to focus on patients, their needs and satisfaction as well as attract, retain, nurture and support outstanding staff.

Prior to the establishment of the DHA, the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS), which was established in 1973, was the functioning authority that almost exclusively focused on health service delivery.

© Press Release 2018