Despite the challenges of pregnancy for patients with heart pumps, a mother’s determination to overcome these obstacles has created hope for others. The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) medical team successfully performed a rare cesarean surgery without complications for a 32-year-old woman who lives on an artificial pump that assists her heart as a bridge until a donor becomes available for a heart transplant. This medical achievement marks the first in the Middle East and is a beacon of hope for future patients.
The patient had a heart pump implanted in 2019 due to heart failure. During her pregnancy, the patient faced several challenges. The heart pump had to be adjusted frequently to match the patient’s needs, and she also had to be treated for an infection. Despite these obstacles, the patient showed great courage and determination to fight for her baby’s health.
With the odds stacked against her, the patient successfully delivered her baby at 32 weeks through cesarean section, with the surgery performed by the skilled hands of Dr. Nada Alsahan, a renowned Saudi surgeon at KFSH&RC. The surgery lasted 45 minutes, and the patient was kept in the intensive care unit for one day after delivery for observation and management.
“This was a complex surgery that required a team of experts and careful planning to ensure the safety of both mother and baby,” said Dr. Alsahan. “It’s not recommended for patients with heart pumps to get pregnant due to the complexity of the surgery and potential risks involved. However, with the progress of technology and medicine, we were able to perform this surgery successfully.”
The groundbreaking surgery performed by the KFSH&RC team is a testament to the incredible advancements in the medical field, providing hope for future patients with heart pumps who dream of starting a family. This achievement highlights the team’s expertise, dedication, and tireless efforts and underscores the hospital’s commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare services and advancing medical research and education.
