Dubai: Italian tourist who collapsed while playing golf now fully recovered, undergoing rehabilitation
What was supposed to be a birthday celebration turned into a life-threatening emergency for a 54-year-old Italian tourist who suddenly experienced severe chest pain and collapsed while playing golf in Dubai more than a month ago.
M. Claudio, who came for a relaxing vacation, was rushed to Saudi German Hospital Dubai (SGHD), where he was diagnosed to have Type A aortic dissection — a dangerous tear in his heart's main artery, affecting blood flow to organs and limbs, that required immediate surgical intervention.
He was placed on mechanical ventilation to support respiratory function as he was in an extremely unstable critical condition with low blood pressure.
'Aortic rupture is a life-threatening condition that can lead to massive internal bleeding, multi-organ failure, or sudden death if not treated immediately,' Dr Bassil Al Zamkan, senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon told Khaleej Times, adding: 'Claudio was fortunate to have reached SGHD with the necessary expertise and advanced facilities to manage such a complex case.'
Dr Al Zamkan performed a highly complex 12-hour surgery which involved repairing the aortic (heart) valve and replacing the ascending aorta and a portion of the aortic arch to restore proper blood flow and reconstruct major blood vessels.
Dr Al Zamkan said Claudio's condition can occur suddenly and without warning, though they are more likely in patients with a family history of similar issues, as well as those with hypertension or Marfan disease (an inherited disorder that affects connective tissues).
'Early detection through echocardiography for individuals in these high-risk groups can help prevent potentially catastrophic outcomes, safeguarding the health and well-being of our patients,' he added.
The operation lasted for half a day, noted Dr Al Zamkan, who was supported by a multidisciplinary team, including anesthesiologists, ICU specialists, physiotherapists, surgical assistants, technicians, and nurses.
Thanks to their efforts, Claudio fully recovered within three weeks, and safely returned to his home country, Italy; he is now undergoing rehabilitation.
'The medical team was very accurate and efficient. They dealt with my health emergency quickly and accurately. I am now in full health and I thank all the staff at the hospital, especially Dr Bassil,' Claudio said in a message forwarded to Khaleej Times.
'Claudio's successful recovery reflects our commitment to medical excellence, cutting-edge technology, and a dedicated team working tirelessly to achieve the best outcomes,' added Dr Ahmed Eissa, regional CEO of Saudi German Hospital Group UAE.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Middle East Eye
a day ago
- Middle East Eye
17 children from Gaza arrive in Italy for medical treatment
A group of 17 children from Gaza, accompanied by 50 family members, arrived in Italy for medical treatment. Among the group is Dr. Alaa Al-Najjar and her son Adam Hamdi Al-Najjar, who lost his father and nine siblings in an Israeli airstrike which targeted their home in the southern city of Khan Yunis last month. Adam al-Najjar, who suffered multiple fractures, arrived with his mother at Milan's Linate Airport, where he was received by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani before being transferred to the city's Niguarda Hospital.
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Khaleej Times
No more insulin injections for diabetes patients? UAE doctors explain cell-based treatment
Many diabetic patients abroad have said goodbye to insulin injections or now use them less frequently and in lower doses, according to doctors who noted patients recovered after undergoing a simple surgical procedure to transplant pancreatic cells. "50 per cent of patients with Type 1 diabetes — who typically rely on insulin injections — have been cured through 'islet cell transplantation'," Dr Tahra Abdalla Al Ali, a pediatrician based in the UAE, told Khaleej Times. "This has cured people of their pancreas's inability to produce insulin. Patients will no longer depend on insulin as they look forward to a future without constant insulin management.' Dr Al Ali noted, 'In 25 cases, pancreatic cells were transplanted; and the success rate for this group was 85 per cent. Of the patients, 50 per cent completely stopped using medication. The remaining group members use injections at lower doses and less frequently.' Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. This treatment, which aims to benefit all patient groups, initially targeted individuals over the age of 20 who suffered from complications of diabetes and had difficulty maintaining healthy levels for an extended period. Procedure explained Dr Al Ali said islet cell transplantation involves transplanting pancreatic cells extracted from donors and studying them in specialised laboratories. Once the safety of these samples is confirmed, they are injected into the patient using a catheter-like method through the skin into a vein and then transplanted onto the liver. 'The transplanted cells help restore and regulate blood sugar levels in patients with type 1 diabetes, preventing severe, life-threatening hypoglycemia episodes and allowing patients to eliminate their daily insulin injections,' she added. Simple and safe The procedure is considered an alternative to the complete pancreas transplant to avoid surgical complications, including organ rejection and bleeding. It is regarded as a safe and simple treatment method. The Emirates Health Services (EHS), in collaboration with the University of Chicago, is working to treat patients from the UAE either abroad or by bringing experts to the country to provide care. Only for Type 1 diabetes The procedure is used exclusively for patients with Type 1 diabetes, where the main issue is the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells, Dr Patanjali Panduranga, endocrinologist at Aster Hospital, explained. It is not considered a treatment for Type 2 diabetes, where insulin resistance is the primary problem. However, some early studies are exploring its use in selected cases of insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes, although this remains under investigation. He noted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved islet cell transplantation in 2023 for adults with Type 1 diabetes who experienced severe hypoglycemia or poor glucose control despite intensive insulin therapy. Limitations remain 'Although the procedure has shown promising results, including insulin independence in up to 50 per cent of recipients, its broader clinical use remains limited due to the need for lifelong immunosuppression and the scarcity of suitable donor cells,' said Dr Panduranga. Dr Arvind Gaddameedi, another endocrinologist at Aster Clinic, explained that the success of islet cell transplantation depends on two key factors, safety and sustainability. Unlike full organ transplants, this procedure involves a 30-minute infusion under local anesthesia, making it accessible even to high-risk patients. However, challenges remain. One of the challenges is the availability of donor cells. While organ donation rates vary globally, innovations in islet cell processing, cryopreservation, and even stem cell-derived islets, currently under trial, may soon expand accessibility. 'These developments represent a new dawn in diabetes care. While not yet a first-line treatment, islet cell transplantation is a vital option for patients struggling with the demands of insulin therapy. As research progresses, improvements in immunosuppression, donor matching, and cell supply are expected to make this treatment more widely available.'
Emirates Woman
7 days ago
- Emirates Woman
Why holistic aesthetics matter more than you think
Dr. Nina Bal, Facial Aesthetic Practitioner and Founder of the Facial Sculpting Clinic, on how healthy skin begins from the inside-out and how investing in yourself is a form of self-care. Talk us through your background. I am one hundred percent Italian. My medical background is in dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. After completing my degree in Milan, I worked in cosmetic dentistry and decided to move to London – this was 15 years ago. In London, I started my move into facial aesthetics. I always loved the art of symmetry and beauty, so facial aesthetics I believe has always been destined for me. How do you define face sculpting with a holistic approach? My approach is always holistic. When I analyse my patients, I consider the ageing process, I ensure to educate them on how and why we age so they understand the clinical procedures fully. My reports are very detailed, and I look to target all three skin layers: the epidermis at the top, the dermis (middle) and the subcutaneous layer underneath. I often rely on my anatomical knowledge from my dentistry background that helps me to identify areas to treat using the skeletal and dental form as my guide. From this analysis, I can create a very bespoke treatment plan to deliver beautiful results. What inspired you to transition from cosmetic dental surgery to facial aesthetics? It was a very natural pathway for me, I allowed myself to follow my passions for medicine, aesthetics and fashion. I found my dream job in facial aesthetics, where I can use my aesthetic creativity and my medical expertise. I love science and creativity. What emerging trends or technologies in aesthetics are you most excited about? First and foremost, I love the art of injectables, and I see daily how they can be used to sculpt and perfect the architecture of the face. There's a surge in popularity of injectables to address skin quality and focus on skin regeneration like polynucleotides, Profhilo, and skin boosters. I witness such a difference in improved skin quality when I integrate these regenerative treatments both for myself and for my patients. For me a good skin peel can address skin clarity. I Like the new AlumierMD Radiant TXA Peel– it truly helped me with my melasma. I turn to device-led treatments where skin laxity is a concern. Device-led treatments such as InMode Contoura and Endolift work beautifully to create a sculpting and lifting effect, the results of these can have a huge impact on the lower third of the face where we often witness skin laxity. 'For me, my work is all about bringing out someone's natural beauty. I am not changing anything, I am just correcting, balancing and enhancing' You focus on the 'Golden Ratio of Beauty' in your work. Could you explain how this concept guides your treatments? The Golden Ratio defines how the human eye perceives beauty. I follow the ratio rules when I am analysing a patient's facial structure. I firstly look for the symmetry for the three thirds of the face and combine this with a mathematical ratio approach to consider the features, then, I use my artistic side to create a beautiful and harmonious balance to the face. This is a delicate equation of mathematics and creative skill. For example, in practice, if a patient has a recessive or weak chin, I look at the ratio of the three thirds of the face and measure it with a ruler, then I consider the side profile to increase the projection to where it should align with the positioning of the lips. There is a very specific ratio between the top and bottom lips, if someone has a very thin upper lip, I work to increase the volume to create a balance to the proportions. On a malocclusion class 2 (where the chin is retracted), I increase the horizontal projection of the chin with fillers. In a malocclusion class 3 (where the chin is over projecting), I increase the lip projection with filler, with the goal to create a softer and more aligned profile and balance between the lips and chin. How do you ensure subtlety while achieving noticeable enhancements? For me, my work is all about bringing out someone's natural beauty. I am not changing anything, I am just correcting, balancing and enhancing. Working on the symmetry and facial structure and then addressing the canvas – ensuring the skin tone and clarity is also enhanced. How do you approach creating personalised treatment plans for your clients? It's all about understanding the ageing process and the structure of the skin. Assessing the facial contours and taking into consideration any malocclusions. Applying the golden ratio to create the perfect balance and then addressing any skin conditions. Why does gut health matter when it comes to good skin? Gut health is at the basis of skin health, skin conditions such as rosacea and acne are related to gut health and the skin can be a window to reflect what is going on, on the inside. I work closely with my patients to help their skin glow with health. I encourage a healthy lifestyle and work with my clients often via the GetHarley platform, to prescribe a tailored, clinical grade skincare routine. I also advocate daily supplements and work with the nutritionists at W-Wellness to ensure the right supplements are integrated into their daily routine. It is important my patients are working on their skin health from the inside and out. What advice would you offer someone considering their first aesthetic treatment? Do your research and ensure you are going to a qualified medical professional. Aesthetic treatments are medical treatments and are not to be undertaken lightly. I think it's also paramount that you align with the aesthetic of the practitioner. Study the before and after photos to see whether you like their eye. I also advise to have a consultation so you can see whether you feel at ease with the person and take the opportunity to ask all the questions to include downtime and address complications. This is The Self-Care Issue – what is your non-negotiable when it comes to your self-care routine? For me exercising and moving the body is important. Prioritising sleep and eating well and daily meditation for me is a must. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied
