Dubai, United Arab Emirates-Tuesday, May 15th 2018 [ AETOS Wire ]
If
36-year-old Sylvester E. had to stay in Nigeria, he may not have lived
to see his middle-age years. Thanks to Dr. Allam Alkowatli, Chief of
Cardiovascular Medicine and Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at
Emirates Hospital, Sylvester was able to travel to Dubai to receive the
life-saving surgery that he needed. What Sylvester needed was Cardio
Balloon Valvuloplasty surgery to open up a stiff tight valve in his
heart that was causing him chest pain, trouble breathing and
suffocation, palpitations as well as a host of other health-related
problems.
When
Sylvester began to notice problems breathing, while doing minor everyday
activities, he made an appointment to see his physician in Nigeria, who
told him he had a major problem in his heart, maybe a hole, to find out
later it was more serious.
However, realizing he
was dealing with a life-threatening condition, Sylvester immediately
began to research online for the best Interventional Cardiologist in the
world who could diagnose his problem and perform the surgery,
immediately.
After a 10
hour flight, Sylvester arrived at Emirates Hospital to meet Dr.
Alkowatli and the clinical staff who would save his life. "I live in
Nigeria and there wasn't much help where I lived, so I found Dr.
Alkowatli who immediately diagnosed my problem using special tests and
the rest is history,” said Sylvester.
Dr. Alkowatl
is a well-respected American Board Certified Consultant Interventional
Cardiologist and a pioneer in interventional cardiology in the UAE, with
a great success rate of achieving optimal results following complex
cardiac interventions that typically exceeds 90% overall. His success
rate in opening chronic total vessel occlusions or CTO usually exceeds
75-80%. He has engaged in numerous interventional cardiology research
work and publications.
He holds
American Board certifications in Interventional Cardiology,
Cardiovascular Disease, and Internal Medicine. He is also American Board
eligible and licensed in Nuclear Cardiology in the United States.
“The average
person’s Oxygen saturation level should be above 95%, but in Sylvester’s
case his level was 70% well below what is necessary for blood to
properly deliver and circulate Oxygen through the heart, lungs, brain
and other vital organs. The condition, if left untreated will eventually
leads to death,” said Dr. Alkowatli.
Dr. Alkowatli
performed initial high-quality ultrasound, followed by laboratory blood
work and other required health screenings to confirm Sylvester’s
condition and the new important diagnosis causing his symptoms. "It's
easy to take for granted how fortunate we are to live in a country where
we have access to quality medical care. Sylvester’s condition, although
extremely dangerous, was certainly treatable, but he wasn't able to get
the help he needed in his home country. As a medical provider, it's
always gratifying to play a role in helping patients like Sylvester
receive the care they need."
Dr. Alkowatli
performed Sylvester’s nearly 5-hour surgery, under general anesthesia,
by inserting a small, narrow, hollow tube (catheter) into a blood vessel
in the groin area, advancing through the Iliac veins, the large vena
cava veins then into the heart. Once the catheter reached the stiff
tight valve, a wire was advanced and a large balloon placed through the
valve over the wire and inflated until the flaps (leaflets) of the tight
heart valve were pushed away and opened. Once the valve opened, the
balloon was deflated and the catheter removed.
"Because of
his condition, Sylvester spent most of his days struggling to breathe,
and if left untreated, Sylvester would have experienced heart and organ
failure, leading to eventual death. But after his successful surgery,
Sylvester was discharged after one day and was able to return home to
Nigeria, hopefully lead a perfectly normal and healthy life."
Cardio
Valvuloplasty surgery is less painful and less expensive than
traditional open-heart surgery. It is convenient, typically lasts 4 – 5
hours, and offers patients a speedy recovery. Most healthy patients who
respond well can have a meal within one hour after the procedure and are
discharged home within 24 hours. Patients typically see immediate
improvements; successful surgeries lead to 100% Oxygen saturation.
Although these surgeries can last for years patients must adhere to
strict follow up care.
Dr. Alkowatli
required Sylvester to follow-up with a local cardiologist in his home
country within 30 days, followed by a three-month exam, and subsequent
three-month checkups in the future. “Although the procedure is less
invasive than open heart surgery, significant risks of valvuloplasty are
still possible but very infrequent and can include bleeding at the
catheter insertion site, blood clot or damage to the blood vessel at the
insertion site, significant blood loss, abnormal heart rhythms, kidney
failure and stroke,” said Dr. Alkowatli. “To mitigate the risks, it is
vital that Sylvester take precaution and follow up with his hometown
cardiologist, as I prescribed,” he added.
Sylvester’s
Cardio Balloon Valvuloplasty surgery at Emirates Hospital, which
included pre-tests and screenings, was paid out of pocket as insurance
does not typically cover surgery for tourists or visitors from other
countries who do not have local healthcare insurance coverage.
Nonetheless, the cost was not a factor for Sylvester who knew he had no
other alternative if he wanted to live. However, given the choice for
medical treatment, he chose Emirates Hospital for their reputation in
providing impeccable quality care and for Dr. Alkowatli’s successful
track record in the field of Interventional cardiology and Cardio
Balloon Valvuloplasty.
Contacts
SAHARA CommunicationsMaria F. Tayem, Senior Account Manager, +971501714347, +97143298996
m.tayem@saharapr.com / www.saharagcc.com
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