In the rarest of cardiovascular procedures, doctors at the Fortis Escorts Heart Institute (FEHI) placed a multi-layered flow modulator (MFM) to cover the aorta aneurysm (an abnormal bulge in a portion of the blood vessel) in a 70-year-old Iraqi patient.

This new procedure was done under general anaesthesia, a first in the Asia Pacific region. The team of doctors who performed this path breaking procedure was led by Dr Atul Mathur, director, interventional cardiology and Dr Yugal Mishra, director, cardiovascular surgery.

The MFM is an innovative technology which is minimally invasive and reproducible treatment option. Behind its clinical effectiveness is the use of technology based on an entirely new concept of physics in which the blood flow is modulated by a 3D wire mesh to remove the turbulence within the aneurysm sac while the branches to the important organs are not interrupted. This makes the treatment very safe.

The difference in the conventional stents and the MFM is the size of the latter device that is ten times the size of a stent used in the conventional method. The 3D multi-layer aspect of the device also assists in regulating the blood flow smoothly.

Dr Ashok Seth, chairman, FEHI said, “We are proud to set yet another record in the field of cardiology. Our endeavour will always be to achieve many more victories and strive towards more solutions to give a ray of hope for numerous patients dying of failing hearts.”

When Fadhil Hamood, the patient came to Fortis Escorts for treatment, it was identified that he required a bypass surgery. While the bypass surgery was successful a subsequent evaluation revealed that the patient had a diffuse aneurysm leading to the dilation of the aorta in the thorax and abdomen. This dilated portion was at a very high risk of rupture leading to sudden death. The main branches to the intestines and kidneys were also arising from the diseased dilated segment.

Dr Atul Mathur said, “In the case of this patient the vital arteries were arising from the dilated area. The biggest challenge was treating the aneurysm without any damage to the branch arteries. The patient’s age added to the challenge. Rapid advances have taken place in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases over the last few decades. The multi layered flow modulator and timely intervention is crucial in the success of this non-surgical repair procedure.”

Dr Yugal Mishra said, “The patient had come to us for bypass surgery which was successful. When the challenge to treat the aneurysm came up, it was clear that the multi layered flow modulator was the most preferred option compared to an open surgical repair.”

Dr Somesh Mittal, zonal director, FEHI said, “The expertise of the doctors at FEHI is unparalleled. The multi-layered flow modulator procedure conducted on this patient has revealed yet another dimension of the excellence of our doctors and the fact that they set the bar very high in achieving miraculous results.”

The standard treatment of the aortic aneurysm is either by complex open surgical repair or by placing non-surgically a branched stent; the latter procedure would exclude the aneurysm. Both these procedures have high complication rates. The team of doctors at FEHI decided to perform a new treatment by deploying a MFM in the aorta.

The MFM procedure involving a thoraco-abdominal aortic repair is a skilled procedure done in only most specialized centres in the world not only because of the anatomical complexity but also due to the fragility of the patients in whom these aneurysms occur.

Such repairs are complex, time-consuming and impose a systemic injury upon the patients, regardless of whether the repair is performed by open surgery or via a branched technique. The considerable risks associated with such repairs include dialysis, paralysis and death in extreme cases.

Expressing his gratitude, Fadhil Hamood said, “I really have no words to thank Dr. Mathur and his team. Now I can go back to my country without fear of the medical complications I could possibly have had. The doctors have given me my life back.”