Left Ventricular Aneurysmorraphy, Two endarterectomies and Quadruple bypass surgery were done on beating heart on the same patient with an ejection fraction of 30% for the first time in the UAE.

High risk surgery performed to remove near-total arterial blocks and to repair Left Ventricular Aneurysm

NMC Specialty Hospital, Dubai, has accomplished a milestone in delivering advanced medical care in the UAE with the premier medical institution’s previous Head of Cardiac Surgery Dr Girish Chandra Varma performing a high-risk procedure on beating heart. “This is the first time in the UAE that a complex Quadruple bypass surgery, endarterectomy procedures to remove plaque from blocked arteries and aneurysmorraphy procedure to treat aneurysm or ballooning of the heart muscles were all done on beating heart,” said Dr Varma.

The surgery was performed by Dr Varma on a 51-year-old patient who was referred to NMC Specialty Hospital after he suffered from a sudden paralytic stroke. “On medical investigation, it was found that he had a series of heart-related complications. While the right main coronary artery had 100% block, the left main coronary artery had 70 % block and left ventricle aneurysm with a clot. The patient’s heart pumping capacity was only25- 30% , explained Dr Varma.

The patient was explained the complexities and risks involved in the urgent surgery that was needed. “The procedure involved removal of plaques – the cholesterol deposits that line the arteries – after which the left internal mammary artery was joined to the left anterior descending artery,” said Dr Varma, who had earlier performed a critical triple heart bypass on beating heart on another patient – another first in the UAE. “All the procedures had to be done on beating heart – which made the surgery complex and risky.” The plaque was then removed from the right coronary artery too and bypass grafts were placed. As the final step, the aneurysm on the left ventricle was plicated and the patient shifted to the ICU.

The patient received four bypass grafts, two endarterectomies,  and the Left Ventricular Aneurysm plication on beating heart. Following the seven-hour surgery, the patient was discharged this week. “From the third day, he was walking and 2D Echo done post-operatively showed that the pumping capacity had increased from 30% to 45%,” said Dr Varma.

The Senior heart surgeon, who has extensive experience working in USA, Europe and Indian hospitals, joined NMC Specialty Hospital over one year back to set up the Cardiac Surgery Unit. He is trained in keyhole surgeries from Belgium. He holds a diploma in Cardiac Surgery from University of Paris and he has a clinical fellowship in heart surgery from the USA.