A heart tumour the size of a tennis ball was removed from a 61-year-old female patient at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi.

The patient Safia Farah Jama was from Somalia. The rare cardiac tumour was interfering with her heart’s blood flow and affecting the function of the mitral valve, one of the major valves in the cardiac system.

The tumour was also causing Jama severe episodes of rapid heart rate, heart attacks, and bouts of dizziness and fainting. Tumors that block blood flow can also cause heart failure, stroke and blood clots, which can be fatal.

“Our investigations revealed that the best approach to lower the risk was to remove the tumour. The surgery was very complicated as the tumour was attached to the mitral valve,” said Professor Dr Walid Shaker, consultant and head of department — cardiac surgery, at Burjeel Hospital.

“We completed the surgery successfully and removed the tumour. She was discharged five days later and has seen a remarkable change in her health since,” Dr Shaker added.

The patient had given up hope as she could not afford a cardiac surgery. “Our family cannot afford it. My health was failing and my family was extremely worried,” Jama said. “This was like an answer to our prayers. Burjeel Hospital gave me a second life. Our family will forever be grateful.”

Surgeons performed the procedure for free as part of the hospital’s commitment to provide 200 free cardiac surgeries throughout 2017 in line with the Year of Giving initiative.

The hospital’s larger goal is to perform 1,000 free cardiac surgeries in the next five years

source : gulfnews