Patient with rare heart condition saved by Zulekha Hospital

Congenital Heart Disease is fatal and is most common in infants 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 19 February 2019 – Zulekha Hospital saved the life of a 27-year-old, Joey Oclarit suffering from a rare heart condition and was referred to Zulekha Hospital, exhibiting symptoms of exhaustion, shortness of breath and disorientation. Following an examination, the patient was found to be suffering from Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) – which is a condition mainly diagnosed in infants.

CHD is usually found in infants, however, the population of adults with congenital heart disease is increasing and is estimated to grow at a rate of 6 percent per year* in developed countries while in the UAE it is at 3 to 5 percent.

“This rare type of congenital heart disease effects approximately 5 out of 1000 infants born with the congenital cardiac malformation. It is usually diagnosed and treated during childhood however this patient had a rare adult case with a late diagnosis,” said Dr. Fekry El Deeb, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist.

In spite of the late diagnosis of the patient’s pulmonary stenosis, which is an obstruction of blood flow to the right ventricle in the heart, the cardiology team at Zulekha Hospital, led by Dr. Fekry El Deeb, successfully operated on the heart through the left and right leg using a Percutaneous Transluminal Pulmonary Balloon Valvuloplasty – PTPV where two balloons were inflated at the same time to minimise the extent of constriction within the patient’s heart and to allow the narrowed pulmonary valve to adequately open. 

“From the day I went to the doctor until the day I was discharged, I always felt cared for because the doctors and nurses at Zulekha Hospital are so kind and helpful. I now feel much more energetic since the procedure and I am very happy that I can now start my dream job on a cruise ship,” said Joey.

The patient was discharged after 24 hours and regained full activities within 3 days of the procedure.