Dubai surgeons save woman's life with new heart procedure

Dubai - The mother suffered no complications post-procedure and was discharged after just two days.

A mother-of-two with chronic shortness of breath has been given a new lease of life through an innovative heart procedure conducted in Abu Dhabi.
The 38-year-old woman, who did not wish to be named, had been searching for a diagnosis for her breathing troubles for six months when she met with Dr Sanjay Rajdev, consultant interventional cardiologist, NMC Specialty Hospital, Abu Dhabi.
Dr Rajdev diagnosed the woman with multiple holes in the heart. The condition - whose official medical name is fenestrated atrial septal defect with inter-atrial septal aneurysm - is usually treated with open heart surgery. But Dr Rajdev was able to close both holes using an advanced technique which involved entering through a vein in the patient's leg and attaching tiny, umbrella-like stents to the holes, blocking them up.  "Traditionally such defects are closed with the help of open heart surgery. I could see the pain and misery she felt when I suggested the idea of a major open heart surgery and the thought of a large scar. I am very pleased that I was able to diagnose, and treat her uncomfortable condition in a way which leaves no scarring," Dr Rajdev said.
Dr B.R. Shetty, CEO of NMC Healthcare, said: "It is our mission to lead the healthcare industry and provide best-in-class services to the residents of the UAE."
The mother suffered no complications post-procedure and was discharged after just two days.
-reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai