Aster Sanad Hospital saves life with rare tumor removal

SAUDI ARABIA — Aster Sanad Hospital, a branch of Aster DM Healthcare, has once again proven its expertise by successfully treating a rare and potentially fatal heart condition.

This achievement reflects the hospital’s commitment to providing advanced healthcare and life-saving interventions.

The patient, a middle-aged man with no history of diabetes or hypertension, had been experiencing recurrent symptoms, including palpitations, dizziness, and occasional loss of consciousness, for several months.

He sought help at Aster Sanad Hospital, where the medical team initiated a series of diagnostic tests.

While an initial electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed no definitive cause, further imaging using a transthoracic echocardiogram uncovered an unusual, mobile structure on the right side of the patient’s heart.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the medical team transferred the patient to the hospital’s Coronary Care Unit for advanced imaging with a transesophageal echocardiogram.

This detailed test revealed a highly mobile mass, measuring 2.0 x 2.4 cm, in the right atrium of the heart.

The mass was obstructing blood flow to the right ventricle, posing a severe risk of complications such as infective endocarditis, sudden cardiac death, or mass detachment.

The case was promptly escalated to the hospital’s expert cardiothoracic surgeons, who performed an emergency open-heart surgery.

During the procedure, the team successfully removed the mass, which was later identified as a myxoma, a rare noncancerous tumor that originates in the heart’s connective tissue.

 They also repaired the affected heart valve, restoring the patient’s normal heart function.

Cardiac myxomas are uncommon, affecting fewer than 1 in 2,000 people and accounting for approximately half of all primary heart tumors.

Right atrial myxomas are even rarer, representing less than 15% of cases. These tumors can cause serious complications, including fainting, heart failure, and life-threatening embolisms.

Cardiac myxomas are rare, with an estimated incidence of only 0.03% in the general population.

Although these tumors account for nearly half of all primary heart tumors, right atrial myxomas are especially uncommon, representing less than 15% of cases.

If untreated, they can cause serious complications, including fainting, pulmonary edema, and life-threatening embolisms.

Mohamed Alshamari, CEO of Aster Hospitals & Clinics in Saudi Arabia, praised the hospital’s state-of-the-art technology and skilled medical teams for their role in delivering exceptional care.

He emphasized that this case exemplifies the hospital’s dedication to treating complex conditions with precision and expertise.

The patient’s recovery was closely monitored by a multidisciplinary team, ensuring a smooth healing process.

 Now fully recovered and symptom-free, he expressed heartfelt gratitude for the outstanding care he received.

This case reaffirms Aster Sanad Hospital’s reputation as a leader in cardiothoracic surgery and advanced heart care, where swift action and teamwork make life-saving differences.

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