Riyadh: The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has performed a successful cesarean surgery for a 32-year-old woman who is living with an artificial heart pump, marking the first case of its kind in the Middle East. The woman was referred to KFSH&RC for treatment after suffering from severe weakness in her heart muscles, which required an artificial auxiliary pump to be implanted.
A multidisciplinary medical team of seven specialties closely monitored the patient’s condition, ensuring she was healthy enough to undergo the surgery in the 32nd week of her pregnancy. After the procedure was completed without complications, the mother was transferred to intensive care, while the baby was placed under the supervision of the neonatal intensive care team.
Physicians usually advise against pregnancy in patients who have received an artificial heart-assisting pump implant due to the potential complications for both the mother and the fetus, including pump malfunctions that could endanger their lives. This achievement is a testament to the expertise, dedication, and tireless efforts of the KFSH&RC team, highlighting the hospital’s commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare services and advancing medical research and education.