DHA hospitals became the first in the emirate to use clip technology by angiography for heart valve repair. The team consisting of cardiologists from Rashid Hospital and Dubai Hospital conducted the first MitraClip transcatheter mitral valve repair by angiography in Dubai for an 81-year-old patient with a leaky mitral valve.
The MitraClip device is used to treat people with mitral regurgitation, a serious, progressive heart disease in which the mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to flow backwards into the heart. This causes shortness of breath and fatigue. If left untreated it can ultimately lead to heart failure and death. Most people affected are elderly as mitral regurgitation incidence increases with age.
“Very few cardiology centres in the world perform this technology,” says Dr Fahd Baslaib, Head of Cardiology and CEO of Rashid Hospital. “Prior to this, the standard method was an open-heart surgery to either repair or replace the valve.
“However, in elderly patients or in patients with several comorbidities the open-heart procedure is not recommended and medications only mask symptoms, instead of treating the underlying issue. Therefore, the introduction of the minimally invasive MitraClip procedure is a breakthrough, especially for patients who cannot undergo the mitral valve surgery. This procedure will help more people who previously had limited options and provides a safer method and quicker recovery period.”
Mitral operation
The first procedure in Dubai was performed last week on the Emirati patient with comorbidities such as hypertension. “The patient was complaining of shortness of breath with minimum exertion,” says Dr Baslaib. “Upon investigation we identified that he had mitral regurgitation and was the right candidate for this procedure as surgery would be too invasive for this patient.
“We performed the MitraClip transcatheter mitral valve repair using the angiography method. A tiny clip, which looks like a mini clothespin, was implanted in the mitral valve to stop the excessive leakage. The chip was inserted through a tube that went in from the groin to the heart.
Evaluating the patient
“The procedure was performed with the assistance of a transoesophageal echocardiogram,” he adds. “This allows image and Doppler evaluation from a location directly behind the heart. We used it to get a more clear and precise image of the transcatheter mitral valve. The procedure was conducted using general anaesthesia and the patient was discharged within 48 hours. This procedure helps the patient return to better health in a shorter period of time. By using advanced technologies and therapies, our aim is to provide patients with the best possible minimally invasive treatment.”
The team that conducted this procedure included Dr Baslaib, Dr Jassim Al Hasimi, Head of Cardiology in Dubai Hospital, Dr Jawaria Al Ali, Dr Hind Hassan, Dr Gladis Hesny, Dr Fiaz from anesthesiology as well as nurses and technicians.
