Sidra Medicine in Doha recently marked a significant milestone in complex congenital heart surgery with the successful treatment of three-year-old Dana, who was born with an intricate heart defect. The achievement coincided with the observance of World Heart Day on September 29, a global event dedicated to raising awareness about cardiovascular health and the importance of timely prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Dana was referred to Sidra Medicine with a heart condition requiring careful evaluation of surgical options. The cardiac team considered two potential approaches: a univentricular repair, which is technically less challenging, and a biventricular repair, a more complex procedure that offers the possibility of better long-term outcomes and quality of life. After multidisciplinary consultations, the team opted for the biventricular repair despite its complexity.
A key challenge of the surgery involved safeguarding Dana’s heart electrical conduction system, the specialized tissue responsible for regulating the heartbeat. Injury to this system during surgery can result in complete heart block, potentially necessitating lifelong pacemaker use and additional interventions to replace the device over time. To mitigate this risk, Sidra’s cardiac team implemented intraoperative conduction system mapping, a technique that allows surgeons to identify and avoid critical conduction tissue during the procedure.
Dr. Husnu Furat Altin, senior attending physician in the Cardiovascular Surgery Division, emphasized the careful balance required in Dana’s treatment, stating that protecting the conduction system was vital. “By mapping the conduction tissue from inside the heart during surgery, we were able to pinpoint areas to protect and strategically plan the repair,” he said.
The surgical team used the conduction mapping data to guide the placement of patches and closure of intracardiac defects, thereby avoiding damage to essential conduction pathways. Dr. Olivier Ghez, division chief of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, highlighted the broader significance of the case. “Success for complex congenital heart conditions extends beyond completing the operation. We must also ensure the chosen approach supports the child’s health and development well into the future. Dana’s surgery marks an important regional advancement in the use of intraoperative conduction system mapping.”
Dana’s postoperative recovery exceeded expectations, with her intensive care phase concluding sooner than anticipated and discharge occurring ahead of schedule. Follow-up assessments reported a stable, normal heart rhythm and no signs of conduction system injury, underscoring the success of the surgical approach and innovative techniques employed.