• The Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services and the Heart Attack Center at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai save 35-year-old patient with acute heart attack in just 19 minutes.
• Breaking world record for the fastest angioplasty performed on patient with 100 % arterial blockage at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai.

A 35-year-old man successfully recovers from a heart attack with 100% arterial blockage at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai. The patient was brought back to a stable condition in just 19 minutes starting from the time he arrived at the hospital.

Prior to the heart attack, the patient was suffering from extreme pain and chest discomfort which is when the ambulance was called. The patient was picked up by DCAS, who responded quickly, the ambulance crew found the patient unconscious and in cardiac arrest. They then began performing CPR with high professionalism and giving him an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm, complying with the approved clinical procedures that are compatible with the highest international standards and ensuring the patient’s safety through diligent care during his transfer to the Al Zahra Emergency Department.

No time was wasted throughout the whole procedure, a quick process of coordination between the emergency medical dispatch, the ambulance crew and the medical staff at Al-Zahra Hospital Dubai allowed them to diagnose the patient and prepare the ECG before his arrival at the hospital.

The patient was diagnosed with Acute Heart Attack, which was instantly shared with all members of the emergency and cardiology team to ensure the preparation of all the necessary equipment and assessments along with the activation of the Cath Lab, a specialized area to help perform advanced and minimally invasive cardiac procedures.

Dr. Behrad Elahi, Interventional Cardiologist, confirmed that the patient was suffering from acute myocardial infarction, AMI, through coronary angiogram, which is a procedure in which a catheter is inserted through the wrist and blood vessels to the heart to detect arterial blockage and check the severity of the heart attack. The cardiology team found that there was 100% arterial blockage of a major blood vessel that supplies blood to the right side of the heart.

“Through the quick communication that we had with all the team members, we were able to perform all the procedures in a quick manner and give our patient the necessary care. The patient came in when most doctors were off duty, but we were still able to be fully prepared within just a few minutes and by the time of the patient’s arrival as well as have all the equipment needed ready. We were all dedicated to bringing the patient back to a stable condition and I believe that due to our quick responses and teamwork, we were able help the patient fully recover.” Dr. Behrad Elahi, Interventional Cardiologist at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai

After confirming the diagnosis and detecting the severity of the heart attack, the patient was prepared for angioplasty.  The procedure was done through the wrist to restore the flow of the blood vessel and was completed in just 4 minutes and 30 seconds.

Once all procedures were done, the patient was completely stable and discharged after only 3 days. Through continuous follow ups, the doctors were able to find that his heart function went back to normal, and the patient was not suffering from any side effects.

“The professionalism with which the Dubai Ambulance Team dealt with the case is a cause for pride and happiness, which contributed greatly to preserving the patient’s life, starting from receiving the call, the quick response, up until the patient reached the hospital. I praise the strong relationship between our institution and the private medical sector, stressing that social responsibility is a prominent feature in civilized societies, which is reflected in the combined efforts between the health sectors, showing the importance of promoting emergency culture among members of society in conjunction with the efforts of medical institutions to strengthen their partnerships and serve the community.” His Excellency Khalifa Al Drai, Executive Director of the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services

“The world standard timing for treating heart attack patients is 90 minutes, however most cases are being resolved in approximately 120 minutes. At the Al Zahra Heart Attack Center we resolve most of our AMI cases in less than 60minutes, also known as the golden hour, which excessively reduces the possibility of any damage to the heart muscle. Our emergency services and medical team are available 24/7 to ensure that all patients in critical conditions get the best chances of survival.” Dr. Rajeev Lochan, Head of the Cardiology Department and Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at al Zahra Hospital Dubai

The Al Zahra Heart Attack Center receives countless heart attack patients yearly, with most cases resolved quicker than the international standard, which is 90 minutes. The center is one of two private hospitals in the UAE to have a Joint Commission International Accredited Heart Attack Center, making it one of the safest and most effective. Additionally, it will soon introduce the first Robotic Cath Lab in Dubai, providing unmatched excellence in cardiac care.