In an unprecedented medical milestone added to the record of Saudi expertise, a specialized Saudi medical team, led by Saudi physician Dr. Seraj Abdullah Abualnaja, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, successfully performed one of the rarest heart procedures worldwide — the first of its kind in the history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This exceptional medical event underscores the Kingdom’s growing position as a destination for highly specialized and advanced medical care at a global standard. The procedure, performed at King’s College London Hospital – Jeddah, aimed to treat a complex, multi-challenging case. The patient suffered from a Bicuspid Aortic Valve with severe stenosis and severe calcification, in addition to Dextrocardia (a right-sided heart position) — a combination that is considered extremely rare in cardiology.
The patient had been experiencing severe shortness of breath and a marked decline in daily activity. Advanced diagnostic tests, including CT scans and echocardiography, revealed complex anatomical variations, an unusual vascular course, and severe calcification of the aortic valve.
Advanced catheterization instead of open-heart surgery
Due to the high risk associated with traditional open-heart surgery, the team decided to proceed with Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) — a highly precise technique requiring advanced expertise in interventional cardiology and state-of-the-art equipment.
During the procedure, the team encountered significant tortuosity of the aorta (severe Aortic Tortuosity), which made reaching the valve extremely challenging.
However, thanks to advanced interventional techniques and the team’s high level of skill, all obstacles were successfully overcome, allowing precise access to the target site and implantation of the valve without complications.
The first successful Saudi case
The procedure concluded with complete success and was officially documented as the first case of its kind performed in Saudi Arabia by Saudi physicians.
The patient recovered rapidly and was discharged within two days without the need for a pacemaker or supportive blood-pressure medications — clear evidence of the clinical excellence and precision of the intervention.
This achievement reaffirms the hospital’s capability to manage the rarest and most complex cardiac cases, supported by advanced infrastructure and multidisciplinary teams specializing in catheterization, cardiac surgery, anesthesia, and intensive care.
A national achievement of global significance
Dr. Seraj Abualnaja, the medical team leader, expressed his pride, saying: “Performing a TAVR procedure in a case that combines Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Dextrocardia represents one of the most challenging scenarios known in the field of cardiac catheterization. Achieving this success for the first time in Saudi Arabia, and by a Saudi medical team, is a national medical accomplishment that highlights the tremendous capabilities of Saudi healthcare professionals and reinforces confidence in the hospital’s ability to perform the most precise interventions at a world-class level.”
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