38-Year-Old with Heart Failure Recovering Well
Sultan Al Muhairi has a second chance at life thanks to the new heart he received in the UAE’s second full heart transplant operation, which took place in October 2018.
Sultan, a 38-year-old UAE national, was first diagnosed with heart failure at the age of 30. By February 2018, his condition had progressed to the point that doctors needed to install a left ventricular assistance device (LVAD) to pump blood for his failing heart.
“When we first saw Sultan, he had been living with heart failure for many years. Heart failure is most commonly diagnosed in people in their late forties or early fifties, so it was surprising to see it in someone his age. Heart failure affects every aspect of a person’s life, preventing them from engaging in every day activities like playing with their children or going for a walk. This was certainly the case for Sultan whose life was on hold due to his condition,” says Dr. Gurjyot Bajwa, a heart transplant surgeon at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.
Sultan was in hospital due to complications with his LVAD when a donor heart became available. The surgeons had to remove the device before they could proceed with the transplant.
“During the time I waited for a heart to become available, I never lost hope. My family and doctors were by my side the entire time and I had faith that my patience would be rewarded. I had lived with my condition for a long time and I was excited to get a second chance to live my life and be there for my family,” says Sultan Al Muhairi.
Following the 12-hour operation, Sultan was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit for observation. His test results showed that he was making an impressive recovery with no sign his body was rejecting the new heart. As a result, he was able to be discharged from the hospital after just over two weeks.
“Every day I listen to my heart beat and I think of the people who made my life possible. I would like to thank the donor and their family. This is truly a great step in the development of our nation,” he said.
Sultan has completed his 30-day recovery milestone, an important step following his life saving surgery. Sultan continues to meet with his care team on a weekly basis to monitor his recovery. As he becomes stronger and his risk of infection drops, his visits will become less frequent.
“Transplants require lifelong follow-up care. Sultan’s road to recovery has been impressive to watch but we will continue to monitor him at regular intervals to make sure he continues to enjoy good health and is recovering well,” concluded Dr. Bajwa.
Reflecting the remarkable impact of organ donation, Sultan was one of four patients whose life was transformed by a single donor in October.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is the UAE’s only multi-organ transplant center. Before patients enter the transplant program, they work with transplant coordinators, dieticians, social workers and psychologists to ensure they are ready for their surgeries.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi will be hosting a first-of-its-kind celebratory ceremony on January 22, bringing together some of the patients who have had transplant surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and congratulate them on their ongoing recoveries. It will acknowledge the remarkable progress the UAE has made since transplant legislation was passed in 2017 and thank the donors, and families of donors, for giving the gift of life.
