76-year-old Omani patient undergoes high-risk heart surgery at Global Hospital

by Suman Gupta

The patient suffered from a heart attack, his heart function dropped down and had 3 blockages

~ This unique complicated case was handled very aptly by Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS) that reduces blood loss, tissue Injury and infection~

Mumbai: A team led by Dr. Chandrashekhar Kulkarni, Consultant, CVTS, Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, successfully treated a 76-year-old man from Oman with a heart problem. The patient underwent Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS). It is a proven and established technique with beating heart surgery which has many advantages even in the most critical cases, lowers the risk of tissue injury and infection. He is back on track now and can do his daily chores with ease.

Life was beautiful for a 76-year-old Omani resident Mr. Khalfan Manaa Bakhit Almamari suffered a heart attack. To his dismay, his heart function had dropped down to half of normal and his angiogram of heart arteries shows a Left main with 3 other significant blocks. Considering his advanced age and his heart function he was deemed to be high risk for surgery in Oman. However, the patient was referred to India wherein Dr Chandrashekhar Kulkarni gave him a new lease of life.

Dr. Chandrashekhar Kulkarni, Consultant, CVTS, Global Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, said, “A bypass surgery was essential to treat him and reduce the chances of further heart attacks and sudden cardiac death and also to prevent any further reduction of his heart function. In view of his advanced age, complicated heart history, 20 years of diabetes history and existing spine condition (patient was already on a walker complication the post-operative recovery and physiotherapy to move around) surgery was considered to be a high risk even by us.”

He added, “We took up the challenge and planned a very small incision surgery called minimal invasive cardiac surgery. The advantages would be the smallest scar, no bone cutting of the breast bone, less blood loss, lesser chances of infection (diabetes-related).”

“The surgery was performed on him in the last week of November. The operation was performed through a small 6 cm incision in the left chest and the necessary bypasses were done. The surgery lasted for approximately 4-5 hours, and the patient was out of ICU in 2 days and started walking around his bed on the third day. By 5th day, he was ready to be discharged and started climbing a couple of steps and walking around 250 meters.” said Dr. Kulkarni.

 “In India more than 2 lac heart surgeries are done per year out of which the minuscule amount is performed in a minimally invasive way Conventional surgical options are deemed many times to be high risk for many elderly patients. The most important advantage of MICS Is a reduction in the size of the scar and this reduces the tissue injury making it suitable even for elderly and infirm Patients to be fit from this special technique,” Highlighted Dr Kulkarni.

“After suffering from a heart attack, my world came crashing down. Back in Oman, I couldn’t opt for surgery owing to my age. But in India, at Global Hospital, the doctors saved my life. Even though I underwent risky surgery, I was assured that I will be fine. I thank the doctors for helping me live life the way I want to. Now, I am not dependent on a walker and have started carrying out my real-world activities with ease. Don’t give up, never lose hope and keep fighting.” concluded Patient Mr Khalfan Manaa Bakhit Almamari.