Riyadh, October 07, 2024 — In a remarkable advancement for medical science, the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has successfully repaired a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm using cutting-edge branched stent technology. This pioneering procedure was performed on a 61-year-old patient with multiple complex health conditions, including hypertension and kidney dysfunction, through a minimally invasive arterial catheterization technique.
This life-saving intervention marks the first instance of its kind in the Middle East. According to a press release from KFSHRC, the innovative approach minimizes patient trauma and significantly accelerates recovery times. It serves as a safer alternative for individuals with complicated health conditions, where traditional surgical methods may pose excessive risks.
The patient presented a range of challenging medical issues, including vasculitis and a ruptured aortic aneurysm that had led to internal bleeding and posed a high risk of mortality if conventional surgery had been employed. By leveraging advanced medical technologies such as high-resolution 3D imaging and a real-time cerebral blood flow monitoring system, the medical team was able to obtain detailed visualizations of the patient’s anatomy. This precision enabled the accurate placement of the branched stent, preserving blood flow to critical organs such as the kidneys and intestines, thereby preventing potential damage.
Aortic aneurysms located near the chest and abdomen are particularly dangerous as they can severely affect vital organs. The patient was at an elevated risk of vessel rupture and internal bleeding, conditions that could have led to fatal consequences without timely and precise medical intervention. The successful execution of this procedure not only showcases the hospital’s medical team's exceptional expertise but also highlights KFSHRC’s commitment to utilizing advanced technologies in overcoming significant medical challenges.
This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the high mortality associated with traditional open surgeries. KFSHRC continues to establish itself as a leader in healthcare innovation, consistently advancing treatments to provide state-of-the-art care to patients both regionally and globally.
Further underscoring its reputation for excellence, KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally among the world's top 250 Academic Medical Centers for the second consecutive year. Additionally, it has been recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2024 Brand Finance rankings. The hospital is also listed among the world's best smart hospitals for 2025 by Newsweek.