A patient was saved from cardiac arrest at King Abdullah Medical City in Mecca
The health system in the Holy City recorded a new medical achievement, as the specialized medical teams at King Abdullah Medical City, a member of the Makkah Health Cluster, were able to save the life of a fifty-year-old patient who faced death head-on after suffering a severe heart attack that led to the complete cessation of the heart muscle.
Healthcare model and national transformation
This medical success is a direct reflection of the development of healthcare services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 and the Health Sector Transformation Program, which focuses on the efficiency of care models and rapid response to critical cases. Health clusters, such as the Makkah Health Cluster, play a pivotal role in coordinating efforts between peripheral hospitals and specialized referral centers, ensuring reduced waiting times and the swift transfer of cases requiring complex interventions, as demonstrated in this patient's highly professional transfer.
Details of critical moments and resuscitation
In detailing the case, King Abdullah Medical City explained that the 52-year-old patient arrived as an emergency transfer from Al-Noor Specialist Hospital last Friday. Upon arrival, diagnoses revealed an acute lower pulmonary embolism, which rapidly progressed to severe ventricular fibrillation, leading to cardiac arrest for several minutes. The cardiac care team immediately initiated advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and administered multiple defibrillation cycles until the heart's electrical activity stabilized and a pulse was restored, at which point the emergency catheterization pathway was immediately activated.
A delicate surgical procedure via the radial artery
The medical team for this delicate procedure was led by Dr. Saleh Mohammed Khoja, a consultant in interventional cardiology, with the participation of Dr. Kamal Raafat, a specialist, and with the full support of the anesthesia and nursing staff. The team successfully performed an interventional catheterization via the radial artery (from the hand), a modern technique that reduces the risk of bleeding complications and accelerates recovery. During the procedure, the blocked coronary artery was opened and a drug-eluting stent was successfully implanted, restoring blood flow to the heart muscle within the world record time for treating heart attacks.
The importance of timing and service integration
The significance of this achievement lies in adhering to the principle that "time is of the essence," as the speed of intervention in cases of heart attacks is the decisive factor in patient survival and minimizing permanent damage to the heart muscle. King Abdullah Medical City is distinguished by its 24-hour catheterization labs, ready to receive such complex cases, further solidifying Makkah's position as a leading center for advanced healthcare in the region.
Stabilization of the condition and the recovery phase
Following the surgical procedure, the patient was transferred to the cardiac intensive care unit, where he underwent an intensive treatment program that included weaning him off the ventilator after he regained full consciousness. Medical reports confirm that the patient is currently in stable condition, breathing normally without pain, and is undergoing a comprehensive echocardiogram to assess his cardiac function in preparation for beginning his post-discharge cardiac rehabilitation program.
