22-hour surgery saves teacher's life in UAE

Abu Dhabi - He was unaware about his medical condition.

Doctors in Abu Dhabi have performed a 22-hour cardiac surgery to save the life of a 25-year-old madrasa teacher, who has a rare genetic disorder called Marfan syndrome.
Pakistani expat Muhammed Arshad, a resident of Mussafah, had developed acute aortic dissection - a serious condition where there is a tear in the wall of the major artery carrying blood from the heart. But he was unaware about his medical condition.
It was in the second week of this month that Arshad felt a minor chest pain while at the madrasa, but he ignored it. A few days later, the pain became severe and he went to a hospital in Musaffah.
"A few tests were performed. I was told it was a cardiac problem. I was told to get advanced tests. I was in the hospital for a day but the next day, it became difficult to raise my left arm. I was soon transferred to Burjeel Hospital in the city," said Arshad from his ICU bed.
Doctors at Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi diagnosed him with acute aortic dissection. A complex surgery was performed where the dissected aortic valve, root and arch were replaced with artificial tubes. He also underwent a coronary bypass surgery.
Dr Walid Shaker, who led the surgery along with consultant cardiac anesthetist Dr Sivan Pillay and clinical perfusionist Murali Krishna, said: "Arshad was brought to the hospital in the morning, and we started the surgery at around 8am on September 16. We finished it the next day by 6am. We are happy to have saved his life."
Dr Shaker, head, cardiac surgery, said Arshad's recovery is a "miracle". "Normally, people who develop this medical condition die within a few hours if not rushed to a hospital. This is the first time in my career I have seen a patient surviving this condition after delaying the treatment for a week."
It was found that Arshad has a genetic problem called the Marfan syndrome, which makes the walls of blood vessels fragile. It is more likely to have an impact on the heart by affecting the major blood-carrying artery.
"We are continuously monitoring him for improvements. It will take about three months for him to get back to normal life," Dr Shaker added.
'Don't delay treatment'
Marking World Heart Day (September 29), Dr Pillay said that delay in coming to a hospital has proved fatal for many cardiac and oncology patients during this pandemic.
"Stress and anxiety are common among people and particularly among cardiac patients during these trying times. People should not be afraid of visiting a hospital if they are unwell. Delay in treatment may have detrimental consequences," Dr Pillay said.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com 

• Abu Dhabi