The catheterization unit at Al Kindi Hospital provides advanced surgical treatment services as a result of the availability of the latest international technologies and devices in the field of cardiac and catheterization surgery.

The department includes a team of highly qualified consultants and specialists with certificates of specialization from major international universities as well as a distinguished nursing staff.

This combination of medical and technical staff and modern technology qualifies the department to provide integrated care for the patient. Cardiothoracic surgery services at Al Kindi Hospital are divided into:

Cardiac catheterization

It starts with the introduction of a small tube called a catheter from the thigh or arm after partial anesthesia to help you relax, but it will stay awake throughout the operation to allow it to answer questions about chest pain or shortness of breath.

The procedure for the catheterization operation is non-surgical and is performed under the supervision of X-rays, where a long, thin and flexible tube (catheter) is inserted through a small incision performed by the doctor in the artery (blood vessels) in the thigh down to the heart. Sometimes, it is placed in an artery in the arm.

Once the catheter is placed in place, a non-colored dye is injected through the catheter, and x-rays of the heart and coronary arteries are taken using special imaging equipment. The imaging equipment allows your doctor to see certain cardiovascular functions, diagnose the disease and determine the appropriate type of treatment.

The catheterization process takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour, and because the patient will be awake, he or she will be able to see the procedure displayed on the screen (if he wishes).

The cardiovascular catheterization department is of great importance and accuracy in terms of diagnostic and therapeutic cardiovascular disease, which offers the following therapeutic procedures:

• Open narrowed arteries using balloons.
• Install a metal mesh on the wall of blocked arteries to keep it open.
• The locking of dilated arteries and veins associated with congenital malformations.

Vascular catheterization

Surgeons in the Department of Vascular Surgery treat a number of arterial and vein diseases, both in emergency and chronic cases. We also provide special care for diabetes foot treatment and limb rescue procedures if you have kidney failure or need dialysis.

Types of vascular catheterization surgeries:

• Thoracic aorta surgery.
• Abdominal aorta surgery.
• Surgery of acute and chronic arterial disorders.
• Creating intravenous arterial blood mesh for dialysis.
• Catheterization of all fine veins of the body such as brain, limbs, liver, kidneys, etc.

Heart surgery

Al Kindi Hospital performs a large number of complex heart surgeries annually to improve heart health and prevent future heart disease. These treatment procedures include:

• Off-pump/pulsating heart surgery.
• Heart valve surgery.
• Congenital heart surgery.
• Left ventricular repair surgery.
• Non-surgical vascular imaging.

 Medical conditions received in the catheterization unit

• Patients with chronic acute clots.
• Patients with heart disorders and diseases of all kinds.
• Patients with acute and chronic pulmonary angina.
• High blood pressure and stroke patients.
• Patients with all vascular and arterial problems and diseases.

The department of cardiothoracic surgery is equipped with the latest medical devices which include

•  Intra Aortic Balloon catheter device, which is modern and rare in the region and is used in emergencies to help the heart contract and relax properly.
• Anaesthesia devices for pediatric patients with heart disease or in cases of emergency surgical interventions.
• ACT blood dilution or thinning meter.
• Defibrillator device in case the heart suddenly stops working during surgery and in operating theatres.

Prepare before the catheterization operation

• Your doctor will explain the nature of the operation and give you an opportunity to ask any questions.
• You will be asked to sign a consent form granting permission to perform the operation.
• Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to any type of medication.
• You will need to fast before the procedure and that means no eating and drinking for a certain period before the operation, and your doctor will provide you with all the details you need before the surgery.
• You may be asked to stop certain medications before the procedure and your doctor will discuss this information.
• Tell your doctor if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any blood thinner medications, aspirin or other medications that affect blood clotting.
• Your doctor may request a blood test before the procedure to see how long it takes for your blood to clot.