Life-saving heart surgery gives new hope to child — a first for Pakistan
KARACHI: In a groundbreaking medical achievement, doctors at Aga Khan University Hospital, in collaboration with a cardiac rhythm specialist from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), successfully saved the life of a four-year-old boy suffering from Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia.
This marks the first-ever surgery of its kind in Pakistan, in which “sympathetic nerves” were severed to stabilize the child’s heartbeat.
Dr. Muhammad Mohsin, an electrophysiologist at NICVD and a specialist in cardiac rhythm disorders, described the milestone as a “historic success and a major breakthrough for Pakistan.” He explained that this rare condition is often inherited genetically. Although the heart may appear structurally normal, patients can suddenly develop dangerously fast and irregular heart rhythms, which may lead to cardiac arrest and even death.
The child had been under medical supervision for over two and a half years. Despite medication and the implantation of a cardiac device, he suffered a cardiac arrest. His mother managed to save his life by administering CPR — training she had received earlier from Dr. Mohsin at NICVD.
Dr. Mohsin said repeated life-threatening episodes made surgery inevitable. During the procedure, the nerves connected to the spinal cord that accelerate the heartbeat were surgically cut. Following the operation, the child’s heart rhythm normalized, and he has been living a healthy life for the past three months without further complications.
The child’s father, Sajid Hussain, a laborer from Multan who had moved to Karachi for work, revealed that four of his children had previously died from the same condition. “Now, my son Ayaan has been given a new life,” he said.
He added that while the surgery cost was estimated at Rs. 4 million, the hospital and doctors ensured it was performed free of charge. “We are deeply grateful to the doctors who saved our only child, because we had already lost four children and have no other offspring,” he said emotionally.
Professor Dr. Saleem Islam, Head of the Department of Surgery at Aga Khan University Hospital, explained that this is a rare congenital condition. In such patients, the ECG (Electrocardiogram) shows a prolonged interval that allows hormones to disrupt the heartbeat, sometimes escalating into “ventricular fibrillation,” which is often fatal.
He further noted that this treatment was first introduced in the United States in 1970. However, due to the complexity of the surgery, it did not become widespread until laparoscopic techniques allowed it to be performed with small incisions. Even today, only a handful of centers worldwide perform this procedure — and now, Pakistan has joined their ranks.
Dr. Mohsin emphasized that cousin marriages and close-kin unions in Pakistan may increase the incidence of such genetic conditions. Although no comprehensive data exists locally, he believes many patients suffering from repeated electric shocks despite cardiac devices could benefit from this procedure.
This remarkable success not only marks a new chapter in Pakistan’s medical science but also brings hope to thousands of patients battling life-threatening heart rhythm disorders.