Dubai, UAE: The Cardiothoracic Surgery team at Dubai Hospital has performed a rare open heart surgery using a minimally invasive technique to remove a benign tumor measuring about 3cms, which was attached to the aortic valve in a 32-year-old patient.

Dr. Bassil Al Zamkan & Dr. Obaid Aljassim, Senior Consultants in Cardiovascular & Cardiothoracic surgery at Dubai Hospital said internationally, incidences of fibroelastoma aortic valve are extremely rare with a percentage of 0.0017-0.33%.

They added that this is the 1st case in Dubai Hospital and first case done by a minimally invasive technique at the hospital.

The patient was admitted to Rashid Hospital with complaints of severe chest pain and had suffered a heart attack.

“He underwent an urgent coronary angiogram, which showed a mobile mass protruding from one of the aortic valve cusps and intermittently blocking the blood flow to the right side of the heart,” said Dr Al Zamkan and Dr Al Jassim

They added that such a case is extremely dangerous for the patient because this tumor can cause embolization and stroke or it can completely block the blood flow and cause a fatal heart attack. Therefore, the patient was accepted to Dubai Hospital for Emergency Cardiac Surgery.

In addition to Dr Al Zamkan and Al Jassim, the Cardiothoracic Surgery team at Dubai Hospital, included Dr. Fayaz Mohammed Khazi, Consultant Cardiothoracic Anesthetist and his team.

“Using minimally invasive techniques and avoiding the routine cutting of the breastbone, a small incision was made on the upper chest, through which the surgery was successfully performed. This kind of tumor and procedure for its removal are very rare and high risk as it could entail a lot of major complications such as heart block, damage to the valve and the heart, which could need replacement of the total valve and insertion of permanent pacemaker,” said Dr Al Jassim and Al Zamkan.

In fact Incidence of aortic dissection are 3 per 100,000 people (0.003%), as for international mortality rate; around 33% of patients die within the first 24 hours, and 50% die within 48 hours. “We have done 22 cases and our mortality is below 20%,” revealed the doctors.

This highly-demanding surgery was performed by the Cardiothoracic Surgery team at Dubai Hospital and they credited the success to teamwork, Dubai Hospital and DHA administration.

Dr. Obaid and Dr. Bassil mentioned that the tumor was removed completely from the heart without causing any damage or need to change the valve and the patient recovered well and was discharged home after 5 days.

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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 Dubai Health Authority and His Excellency Humaid Al Qatami is the Chairman of the Board and Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority.

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 Center) 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