Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Jun 9: It can be called a rare occurrence, but for 13-year-old Asmaa, it was a matter of life or death. Thanks to city doctors this Egyptian teen has now a ‘rebirth’.

Daughter of Hazem Zaki and Marvet an Egyptian couple working in Dubai, Asmaa was diagnosed with a congenital atrial septal defect (hole in the heart) nearly a year ago. She had been suffering from recurrent respiratory tract infection and breathing discomfort for quite some time.  This condition if found in teenagers can be rectified through open heart surgery. But in the case of Asmaa, it was done with the help of an interventional procedure.

Briefing the press persons on this rare intervention, cardiologist Dr Yusuf Kumble said that instead of a wall which separates the right and left chamber of the heart, there was a hole. Instead of open heart surgery, doctors decided to go for intervention method where a device called amplatzer is installed in the patient’s body by making a small hole.

The couple along with their daughter was directed to Mangalore by Abdul Khader, a non-resident Indian from Kasargod.

Dr Kumble said that it was for the first time that a foreigner had benefited from the expertise of his team. He has carried out seven such procedures. In the case of Asmaa, the entire process was monitored in the ultra-sonic machine. Amplatser was pierced through the hole where an umbrella shaped knitted substance unfolds and clinches the hole, explained Dr Kumble.

Asmaa underwent this non-surgical method at KMC hospital where the team led by Dr Kumble set right the heart disorder.