Successful First Aortic Valve Replacement via TAVI Technique at Malawy Specialized Hospital

The General Authority for Healthcare has announced the successful completion of the first aortic valve replacement via catheter using the TAVI technique at Malawy Specialized Hospital. This milestone also includes the first use of microcatheters to treat chronic total occlusion (CTO) of coronary arteries, marking a significant advancement in cardiac care under the comprehensive health insurance system.

This achievement coincides with the launch of the comprehensive health insurance system in Minya, which is the first governorate in the second phase of implementation.

Dr. Ahmed El-Sabki, head of the General Authority for Healthcare, stated that this success reflects accumulated expertise and the development of distinguished medical teams within the authority’s facilities in Port Said, Suez, and Ismailia. This has enhanced medical staff capabilities and localized advanced cardiac services in Minya, ensuring readiness to perform complex medical interventions according to global standards.

The first case involved a 79-year-old male patient suffering from severe aortic stenosis, hypertension, moderate aortic dilation, renal dysfunction, recurrent chest pain, and fainting spells. The aortic valve was replaced using the TAVI technique through the femoral artery without surgical intervention to avoid risks associated with traditional surgery.

The second case involved a female patient with complete chronic obstruction of the right coronary artery and recurrent angina. Microcatheters and specialized wires were utilized to open the calcified artery during one of the most intricate cardiac interventions.

Dr. El-Sabki praised the efforts of the medical team that performed these surgeries at Malawy Specialized Hospital, led by Dr. Tarek Rashid, professor of cardiology and head of cardiology departments at the General Authority for Healthcare. The team included Dr. Bassam Nagah Shenouda Saad, Dr. Amr Satoohi, Dr. Ayman Hazem Khamis, Dr. Ahmed Anwar Aribi, Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud Khalifa, Dr. Michael Adel, anesthesiologists Dr. Salman Hamdi Mohamed and Dr. Ali Essam, along with anesthesia technician Khaled Mohamed Niazi and nursing staff: Asma Ahmed, Emad Gamal, Mostafa Hussein, Mostafa Eid, and catheterization technicians Mohamed Emad and Ashraf Lawly.

It is noteworthy that during his inspection tour in Minya province, Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar visited patients undergoing their first TAVI procedure and microcatheter interventions for chronic coronary artery blockage at Malawy Specialized Hospital. He checked on their health status and listened to their feedback regarding the quality of medical services provided as well as their health improvements following these precise interventions.