Dubai teen’s life saved after hidden heart defect found 14 years late

Dubai: A 14-year-old Sudanese boy living in Dubai has been saved from a rare, life-threatening heart condition that had gone undetected since birth and could have been fatal if left untreated.

Mazin Muntassir Hassan was brought to Aster Hospital, Mankhool, after experiencing persistent fatigue, a blackout episode, and elevated blood pressure – symptoms highly unusual for his age. An initial cardiac assessment revealed signs of left ventricular hypertrophy, prompting advanced imaging, including ECG, echocardiogram, and CT aortography. These tests confirmed the presence of coarctation of the aorta (CoA), a congenital condition in which the aorta – the major artery carrying blood from the heart to the body – is abnormally narrowed.

CoA is a relatively common congenital heart defect in children, accounting for about 4–6 per cent of all such conditions, according to the information services firm Wolters Kluwer. It is estimated to occur in about 1 in every 2,900 live births. Prenatal diagnosis of CoA is possible but challenging, with a low detection rate in isolated cases before birth. CoA is more prevalent in males than females, affecting a higher percentage of male births. Although CoA is relatively common among congenital heart defects, diagnosis during adolescence such as in Mazin’s case is extremely rare.

Dr Naveed Ahmed, Head of Cardiology at Aster Hospitals and Clinics, UAE, and Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Aster Hospital, Mankhool, noted that the condition is most often detected in infancy or early childhood.

“It’s extremely rare to catch it this late, and had it gone unnoticed for a few more years, it could have led to permanent hypertension, heart failure, or even stroke,” Dr Ahmed said. “While the procedure itself was technically smooth due to precise pre-procedural planning based on CT imaging, the true complexity of this case lies in the delayed diagnosis. Identifying and successfully treating the condition in adolescence after years of being missed made it both clinically challenging and unique.”

Instead of open-heart surgery, the cardiology team opted for a minimally invasive coarctoplasty with stent placement, performed via the femoral artery. The outcome was excellent, and Mazin is expected to return to a full and active life.

The minimally invasive procedure involved the insertion of a balloon-mounted stent to open the narrowed section of the aorta. This approach avoids open surgery, reduces hospital stay, and ensures faster recovery.

Mazin’s blood pressure normalised post-procedure, and he experienced a noticeable improvement in his energy levels, resuming his daily activities within a day. He is anticipated to return to sports and full physical activity within the next 4-6 weeks.
Mazin said: “Before the treatment, I felt tired all the time and couldn’t play or do normal things like other kids. Now I feel healthy and strong again. I’m so grateful to Dr Naveed Ahmed and the team at Aster Hospital Mankhool for helping me get my life back.”

His mother and brother, who accompanied him during treatment, also expressed deep gratitude towards the entire team.