Advancements in Technology to Treat a Cardiac Problem
How to treat a ‘hole in the wall’
Sukumvit Hospital successfully treats a Kuwaiti patient by fixing the ‘hole’ in his heart wall, treating his atrial septal defect (ASD) without requiring major surgery. With recent advancements in technology there is finally good news for patients suffering from atrial septal defects (ASD), more commonly recognised as a ‘hole’ in the heart.
The breakthroughs were highlighted a few months ago when the Kuwaiti embassy referred a patient by the name of Abdullah to Sukumvit Hospital for specialised treatment.
Mr Abdullah, at the very young age of 34 suffered from weakness, difficulty breathing, swelling in the stomach, and was unable to walk for more than a few minutes. The medical team at the hospital worked rigorously and around the clock trying to find a diagnosis.
Mr Abdullah was subject to a number of procedures including blood tests, Xrays, electrocardiogram (EKG), MRI and even a unique ultrasound scan designed especially for the heart known as the Transesophageal Echo (TEE). After meticulously studying the patient’s results, it was concluded that the cause was ASD, or in layman’s terms a ‘hole’ in the heart.
But what is ASD? It is a ‘hole’ in the wall that separates the two upper chambers of the heart or atria. This defect causes oxygen-rich blood to leak into the oxygen poor blood chambers of the heart, causing a disruption in the natural flows. An amount of the blood that should be flowing into the left ventricle (lower pumping chamber) from the left atrium is now also flowing into the right because of the ASD. As a result, more blood travels to the right side of the heart and back to the lungs rather than throughout the body.
“Mr Abdullah’s procedure was an astounding success. He was not only lucky to have avoided the high expenses of major heart surgery but How to treat a ‘hole in the wall’ also the pain and scars that come with the process.” Dr Wasan Udayachalerm, Intervention cardiologist ASD is commonly a genetic defect that a patient can develop while still in the womb.
Some defects are very small and do not affect the wellbeing of an individual throughout their lifespan. However, it is also common that the hole in the heart expands as the person grows which can lead to all kinds of discomfort and complications, in some cases it is even fatal.
Once the defect was diagnosed, Mr Abdullah was transferred to Sukumvit Hospital’s Heart Centre, where a talented team of cardiac specialists led by Dr Wasan Udayachalerm, one of Thailand’s most prominent and respected intervention cardiologists prepared to proceed with treatment.
After methodically studying the patient’s case and measuring the exact size of the defect or ‘hole’, Dr Wasan determined that Mr Abdullah did not require a major surgery to fix his condition but rather, an advanced ASD Occluder could be employed.
“Mr Abdullah’s procedure was an astounding success. He was not only lucky to have avoided the high expenses of major heart surgery but also the pain and scars that come with the process.”
This device is shaped like a double-umbrella and is capable of plugging the hole in the wall of the heart, a procedure similar to an angioplasty where a stent is inserted into a small artery.
However, in this situation the practise calls for an occluder to be carefully inserted and directed with a catheter all the way into the heart.
Mr Abdullah’s procedure was an astounding success. He was not only lucky to have avoided the high expenses of major heart surgery but also the pain and scars that come with the process. Within a few days, Mr Abdullah was discharged from the hospital and in his own words, he described his treatment at Sukumvit Hospital as “incredibly professional.
I was taken care of very well and the doctors were extremely talented. Thanks to the facilities and staff, my body feels absolutely normal now.”
Dr Davin Narula, Hospital Director Sukumvit Hospital, which began its operations in 1977, has just completed a major makeover. Not only have they built a brand new building, but the entire team of doctors, specialists, nurses and assistants have all been trained with the singular aim of helping their patients maintain optimum health.
Then there are the equipment, state of-the-art MRIs, Cath labs and a myriad of others, so that their specialists have the best available tools for diagnosis and treatment.
Conveniently located on Sukhumvit Road with English speaking staff, Sukumvit Hospital is now ready for any emergencies or treatments.
“Mr Abdullah’s procedure was an astounding success. He was not only lucky to have avoided the high expenses of major heart surgery but also the pain and scars that come with the process.”
Sukumvit Hospital
1411 Sukhumvit Road (Ekkamai BTS)
Prakanong nua, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Tel: 02 391 0011
www.sukumvithospital.com
www.facebook.com/sukumvithospital
