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Demonstrating excellence in advanced cardiac care, Aster Hospital, Al Qusais has successfully treated a 32-year-old man suffering from a severely narrowed heart valve caused by rheumatic disease (rheumatic mitral stenosis) using a highly specialized and innovative surgical approach known as the “Ship Technique.”
This case highlights the hospital’s expertise in advanced heart surgery and coordinated post-operative care. It also demonstrates how timely diagnosis and specialised treatment can lead to excellent outcomes, even in complex heart conditions. The case is particularly relevant for patients with valvular heart disease, families seeking advanced cardiac care, and the wider community especially when families are apprehensive about valve replacement surgeries and their associated drawbacks.
The patient, Mr. Ijaz Mehmood Rana Mehmood, a Pakistani national residing in Dubai, a Dubai-based professional working in the solar industry and a father of two, had a history of rheumatic valve disease along with a history of stroke. He was admitted to Aster Hospital, Al Qusais for heart valve repair after his symptoms, such as shortness of breath and fatigue, became worse. The stroke in this patient was a consequence of his worsening heart valve condition which caused clot formation in his heart leading to his neurological symptoms. This patient was advised valve replacement with mechanical valve at another facility.
Patients with advanced rheumatic heart valve disease often experience severe shortness of breath and fatigue due to long-term damage to the heart valve and surrounding heart structures.
Rheumatic heart disease continues to be a significant health concern across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, affecting nearly 4 in 1,000 people.1 Early diagnosis and access to specialized care remain critical in managing such complex cardiac conditions effectively. This patient eventually approached us with the hope of undergoing valve repair in order to avoid long-term blood-thinning medication.
Our expert, Dr. Shipra Shrivastava, Consultant Cardiology & Thoracic Surgery at Aster Hospital, Al Qusais, performed a mitral valve repair surgery using the innovative “Ship Technique,” which offers excellent results in complicated mitral valve disease. This technique repairs key parts of the heart valve that are often overlooked in conventional valve repair surgeries, allowing the valve to function more like a healthy, natural valve and improving its long-term durability.
The patients post operative recovery was uneventful. He was discharged in stable condition with follow-up guidance.
The case was managed using a multidisciplinary approach involving teams from cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, and neurology. The team included Dr Shipra Srivastava, Dr Sandeep Srivastava, Dr. Jaffar Vali Sayyed (Neurology) and Dr. Anil Prahalada Rao Kumar (Cardiology), ensuring comprehensive perioperative care and enhanced patient safety.
Commenting on the case, Dr. Sandeep Shrivastava, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Aster Hospital, Al Qusais, said: “Rheumatic mitral valve disease can be particularly aggressive, especially in the Asian population, and often affects younger individuals. Timely intervention and the right surgical strategy are crucial. In this case, we were able to repair the valve and restore its function effectively. This helped the patient avoid long-term complications associated with valve replacement and lifelong blood-thinning medication.”
Dr. Shipra Shrivastava, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Aster Hospital, Al Qusais, who performed the specialized repair technique, added: “The ‘Ship Technique’ allows us to address the full complexity of rheumatic valve damage by reconstructing the commissures, which are essential for normal valve movement. Besides conventional repair, the Ship technique of commissural augmentation method restores the natural dynamics of the mitral valve. It offers durable results and significantly improves quality of life. This approach also helps patients avoid complications associated with blood-thinning treatment, such as stroke or bleeding, while preserving their native valve.”
Expressing his appreciation, Mr. Ijaz Mehmood Rana Mehmood said, “I am extremely grateful to the doctors and the entire medical team at Aster Hospital, Al Qusais for their care and support throughout my treatment. From diagnosis to surgery and recovery, everything was handled with professionalism and compassion. Today, I feel much better and have returned to my normal life without any symptoms.”
Heart valve repair, especially using advanced innovative techniques like the Ship Technique, offers significant advantages over valve replacement. It reduces the risks associated with long-term blood-thinning treatment, such as stroke or bleed, and provides better long-term outcomes.
The patient recovered fully after Mitral valve repair surgery, and returned to his normal activities. Follow-up tests revealed normal heart valve function.
This successful case highlights Aster Hospital, Al Qusais’ commitment to delivering cutting-edge cardiac treatments supported by expert teams and personalized care. The hospital continues to emphasize early diagnosis, timely intervention, and innovative surgical techniques to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Over the past year, the hospital has performed 19 cases of complex valve repair surgeries. Most cases involved advanced disease with late presentation. The team has achieved excellent outcomes, and all patients are symptom-free on follow-up.