Restoring hope and health: A remarkable journey of recovery

It was a regular day for 34-year-old Hinoo Kumar, who went about his regular activities until he began experiencing chest pain. He initially disregarded the pain for gas, but it lingered until it became acute and radiated until his back.

He was rushed to the emergency department of Fakeeh University Hospital (FUH), severely unstable. Specialists at the emergency promptly and accurately diagnosed him as having an aortic dissection. It is a life-threatening condition in which the aorta carrying oxygenated blood to the body, ruptures, separating the inner and middle layers.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, Kumar was taken in for an emergency cardiac surgery at FUH’s Heart Institute under the leadership of Dr Faouzi Safadi, consultant cardiothoracic surgery.

“I feel I am blessed with a new life, so I know I was in extremely capable hands. I’m not completely back to normal, but I can do pretty much everything I want to. I must wait a bit longer to get back to work, but I have a lot I’m thankful for since it could have turned any other way for someone with my condition. I thank the doctor and the team at Fakeeh University Hospital for everything that they did for me,” said Kumar.

Kumar suffered from type A aortic dissection, which is the most common and dangerous of the two types of aortic dissection – type A and type B. In type A, a tear occurs in the ascending aorta – the largest artery in the body. People with uncontrolled BP are at high risk of developing aortic dissection. This was also identified as a major factor in Kumar’s case along with morbid obesity and genetic predisposition.

The incidence of aortic dissection is identified as three to four in every 100,000 people per year and can result in high mortality if not identified early. Most likely to occur in older patients, the condition also causes death in as many as 20 per cent of patients because the condition progresses quickly, and it is mandatory to reach the hospital in time.

“We took Kumar in for emergency surgery since his condition was deteriorating and any delay would highly increase the risk of other organs being affected. The major risk in this surgery was the development of ischemia. Aortic dissection is a complex surgery, and in this case, his damaged aorta was removed. Since Kumar was wheeled in for an emergency surgery, he required highly specialised care, that was offered at FUH’s Heart Institute. A multi-disciplinary approach to care, including prompt actions from the emergency team, expert surgeons, a well-equipped ICU and the availability of modern technologies helped us work towards ensuring Kumar went home happy with a healthy heart,” said Dr Safadi.

The surgery was successful, and Kumar walked two days after the surgery. He left FUH after a week of observation and with a new lease of life.

Aortic dissection is a complex medical emergency commonly associated with advanced age and pre-existing cardiovascular diseases. However, recent studies suggest that the incidence of aortic dissection is on the rise among younger populations, including individuals in their 30s and 40s. This trend is concerning, as it indicates a shift in the typical demographics affected by severe heart conditions.

“Hypertension or high BP is a significant risk factor for aortic dissection. This was also one of the key causative factors in Kumar’s case. Younger people, particularly in this part of the region, are mostly likely to develop hypertension because of unhealthy lifestyle habits and stress,” added Dr Safadi.

The Heart Institute at Fakeeh University Hospital offers various services, including cardiac diagnostic testing, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiovascular surgery, and cardiac rehabilitation. Committed to providing holistic, personalised, and evidence-based care to all, FUH’s Heart Institute works towards enhancing your quality of life by making your heart smart.

• KT Network