MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH: Doctors perform complete coronary endarterectomy in two major heart arteries on a beating heart, a complex procedure rarely attempted globally. Here is a full report by Emirates Reporter.
Dubai, UAE – In a major breakthrough, surgeons at Aster Hospital, Al Qusais, Dubai successfully performed an expertise in procedure and complex heart surgery, saving the life of a 43-year-old man with severe heart disease. The surgery involved carefully removing hard debris from two major arteries, the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) and the Right Coronary Artery (RCA), which were completely blocked along their entire lengths and bypassing these arteries while the heart was still beating.
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022), an estimated 19.8 million people die annually from heart-related illnesses, nearly 1 out of every 3 deaths, with coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke accounting for 85% of these deaths. This highlights the life-saving importance of advanced interventions such as those performed at Aster Hospital, Al Qusais.
The surgery was performed while the heart was still beating and was led by Dr. Sandeep Shrivastava and Dr. Shipra Shrivastava, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeons at Aster Hospital, Al Qusais. The patient, Mr. Jijil Chira, an Indian national living in Dubai, is married and works as a logistics manager. He had been suffering from constant chest pain and shortness of breath, even during light activity. Tests, including a treadmill and a coronary angiogram, showed all three major heart arteries were diffusely blocked, reducing blood flow to his heart. His long-term uncontrolled diabetes made the surgery even more complex and risky. His two major arteries, the LAD and RCA were completely clocked (100%) severely compromising the blood flow.
Seeing how serious the condition was, the surgical team decided to perform a complete endarterectomy, a complex procedure where the hard deposits are carefully & completely removed from inside the arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances that build up over time, which can narrow or block the arteries and reduce blood flow, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Sometimes it may progress to hard and dense texture throughout the arteries which makes the treatment complex and challenging as in our case.
During the surgery, the LAD artery was opened, and all the plaque was carefully removed along its entire length. The RCA artery, which was also fully blocked, underwent the same procedure to create a clear path for the bypass grafts. In some areas, the surgeons performed a second endarterectomy and repaired the artery with a patch to make sure blood could flow freely along the entire length of the vessels – a procedure that requires a high level of skill, expertise & experience.
The surgery was done entirely on a beating heart, without using a heart-lung machine. While only 20–30% of CABG procedures worldwide are performed off-pump, Aster Hospital, Al Qusais performs all its bypass procedures on a beating heart. This method helps reduce complications, speeds up recovery, and is safer for high-risk patients in expert hands. After clearing the blocked arteries, the surgeons restored full blood flow using the patient’s own arteries and a vein.
Dr. Sandeep Shrivastava, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, ASTER HOSPITAL
Dr. Sandeep Shrivastava explained, “This was a very complex case because both the LAD and RCA were completely blocked (100%) from end to end. There was no part of the arteries suitable for a regular bypass. By carefully removing the plaque from both arteries, and in some areas performing an extra repair with a patch, we were able to restore full blood flow and give the patient the best chance for long-term health, even in cases that might be considered untreatable elsewhere.”
Dr. Shipra Shrivastava, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, ASTER HOSPITAL
Dr. Shipra Shrivastava added, “At Aster, we have special expertise in performing this kind of surgery on multiple arteries. Our focus is always on fully restoring blood flow and helping patients recover completely, so they can regain full heart function and enjoy a better quality of life.”
Aster Hospital, Al Qusais has completed over 50 coronary endarterectomy procedures, including multi-vessel cases. In the past year alone, the hospital performed more than 184 CABG surgeries, all on beating hearts, with 22.8% of patients requiring coronary endarterectomy due to advanced disease. Most patients, including Mr. Chira, were discharged by the fourth postoperative day and are now living symptom-free.
Mr. Jijil, young patient, at this age, presented with advanced and aggressive blockages affecting the entire length of heart arteries causing hard and dense deposits throughout the length. These patients are often denied intervention due to the complexity of disease, making their life expectancy uncertain. We have the expertise in treating these patient and thus giving them a good long term quality life.
Aster Hospital, Al Qusais is also recognized in Newsweek’s World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2026 list among 350 hospitals globally and ranked No. 14 on Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals in the UAE list, further highlighting its excellence in patient care and advanced medical interventions.
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Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Jijil Chira said, “I was refused treatment elsewhere because my blockages were too complex. But the cardiac team at Aster Hospital gave me hope and a second chance at life. I feel like I have been given a new lease on life and am deeply thankful for their care and expertise.”
This extraordinary surgery highlights Aster Hospital, Al Qusais’ position as a leading center for complex cardiac care in the UAE. By combining advanced surgical techniques, cutting-edge expertise, and a patient-first approach, the hospital continues to provide life-saving solutions for patients with the most challenging coronary artery conditions, setting new benchmarks in cardiac care across the region.
