American Hospital Dubai performs complex minimally invasive heart surgery for new mother with heart failure

This is the case of a 35-year-old female patient and a new mother; her baby was just a few weeks old when she was admitted with heart failure related to her severe heart valve disease. Her mitral valve, one of the four valves in the human heart regulating the blood flow between two chambers, had a severe leak leading to stress on the heart pump and limited patient physical capacity. The patient had to be admitted to the intensive care unit to manage her heart failure symptoms, thereafter, there was the need to plan urgent surgical intervention to avert further cardiac complications.

Traditional open-heart surgery would require a more extended hospital stay and a more difficult recovery period, hindering her ability to be with her newborn baby. 

In a groundbreaking achievement, Dr. Jalal Bin Saeid, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at American Hospital Dubai, who has a special interest in minimally invasive access surgery (MICS), performed a highly successful endoscopic minimally invasive mitral valve surgery through mini thoracotomy with his team. Dr. Bin Saeid specializes in minimally invasive cardiac surgery for a variety of procedures, including aortic aneurysm repair, congenital heart defect repair, and single or multiple valve surgery.

The advanced mini thoracotomy procedure involves making a small incision on the side of the chest to access the heart valve by navigating through the ribs with specialized endoscopic instruments. In contrast to the conventional method, where surgeons perform a sternotomy - cutting through the sternum or breastbone to reach the mitral valve - the minimally invasive mini-thoracotomy enables precise and effective valve intervention while significantly reducing recovery time and surgical risks, resulting in an almost invisible scar beneath the patient’s breast.

The patient experienced reduced pain, minimal scarring, and a quicker return to her daily life. Now, just days after the procedure, she cherishes precious moments with her baby, which is a testament to the success of modern cardiac surgery and its patient-centered benefits.

Dr. Bin Saeid emphasized the importance of these medical advancements. He remarked that “Minimally invasive cardiac surgery approach is a game-changer for patients, enabling quicker recovery and earlier reunions with their families”.

This milestone surgery reiterates American Hospital Dubai’s status as a regional leader in advanced cardiac care. The hospital’s world-class treatment options greatly enhance patient outcomes and quality of life, reaffirming its dedication to excellence in patient-centric care.