Dubai doctors save elderly patient from rare condition

Dubai: Doctors in Dubai have saved the life of an elderly patient who was admitted to hospital after finding blood in his vomit and stools.

Once in the emergency room at Rashid Hospital, the 64-year-old patient, who hails from Myanmar, suddenly collapsed.

“His vital signs were deteriorating and he needed immediate mechanical ventilation,” said Dr Ahmad Mohammad Khassouan, a specialist gastroenterologist at the hospital.

The medical team immediately intervened by starting a blood and fluid transfusion. The patient was then moved to the endoscopy unit for an urgent upper endoscopy procedure. During the endoscopy, doctors found huge clots of blood in the upper stomach, as well as active bleeding.

During a three-hour search through the endoscope, Dr Khassouan made a surprise find.

“I discovered he had a rare condition called Dieulafoy’s lesion,” he said. The rare medical condition, which accounts for less than three per cent of acute gastrointestinal bleeding incidents, is when a large blood vessel in the stomach wall erodes and bleeds.

Immediate attention needed

The condition is life-threatening and requires immediate intervention. Doctors then clipped the artery and injected diluted adrenaline. The bleeding stopped immediately.

The patient was then transferred to the ICU and later to the general ward, where he remained stable and discharged home earlier this week.

“I am really glad to come across such a patient and [to] do the needful to save lives,” said Dr Khassouan.

The patient thanked the hospital.

“I am feeling much better now,” said Taha Myanhamar. “I would like to thank Dr Khassouan and Rashid Hospital for the care and treatment I was given.”