Muscat, The National Heart Center (NHC) at the
Royal Hospital performed recently a cardiac catheter, the first of its
kind, to close the Sinus Venosus ASD rather than the surgical
intervention.
The catheter was performed to a patient suffering from an atrial
septal defect (ASD) of the type (Sinus Venosus ASD) by a medical
team headed by Dr. Salim al-Maskari, NHC Director and Senior
Consultant of Cardiology and Dr. Abdullah al-Farqani, Senior
Consultant of Cardiac Catheterization in collaboration with a number of
anesthesiologists, cardiologists and nursing staff.
In this regards, Dr. Al-Maskari explained that the patient was
anesthetized, and then the medical team inserted accurate sensors
through a small hole in the groin area. After that, the sensors took their
paths to the heart, the measurements of the aperture in the heart have
been taken and finally, the medical stent installed so that it fully covers
the aperture without affecting the blood vessels.
Al-Maskari also indicated that there are many advantages to this
catheter; reduction of surgical intervention, reducing side complications
associated with the catheter and short period of patient’s stay in the
hospital, as well as practicing normal life activities shortly after the
catheter.
On his turn, Dr. Al-Farqani said, “There are a number of challenges
in this catheter, such as the shortage of a specialized medical cadre
performing such catheterizations worldwide”. He added that this
service will open new prospects for the patients suffering from atrial
septal defects.
Source: Oman News Agency