The lifesaving surgery, which was a first of its kind, was completed on June 22 by a team led by CHI’s CEO and Guyanese-born heart surgeon Dr Gary Stephens.
The surgery, which was conducted on 24-year-old Dexter George, saw doctors completely remove a cardiac tumour, partially remove his right atrium and utilise bovine pericardium, a tissue derived from a cow’s heart, to reconstruct his damaged right atrium.
George had been battling his severe illness for over nine months.
CHI said he was first diagnosed after a small lesion in the right atrium, initially believed to be a blood clot, rapidly grew into a massive tumour.
With few options for treatment, doctors recommended the innovative surgery, which has a less than one per cent chance of success.
In a comment, Dr Stephens said: “The procedure challenged the conventional understanding of the heart’s resilience, illustrating that substantial portions of the heart can be removed with positive outcomes”.
He added: “This remarkable feat could pave the way for more aggressive approaches in similar cases, pushing beyond traditional boundaries.”
George is on his way to making a full recovery.
In a comment to CHI, he said: “Physically I get a little pain but I am happy, I know I haven’t fully recovered as yet but I know I will get there soon, I am just trying to push myself with my exercises so I can be okay.”
He also expressed gratitude for the surgical team’s efforts and remains hopeful for a complete recovery.
The institute, which is located within the Georgetown Public Hospital, said it would continue to utilise new technology and procedures to be at the forefront of cardiovascular care and research.
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