14-Year-Old Sudanese Boy Gets Life-Saving Treatment For Rare Heart Condition At Aster Hospital

Mazin Muntassir Hassan, a 14-year-old from Sudan, received life-saving treatment for a rare congenital heart defect known as coarctation of the aorta at Aster Hospital Mankhool. This condition, usually discovered in infancy, had remained undiagnosed in Mazin until his teenage years.

Under the care of Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Head of Cardiology at Aster Hospitals & Clinics UAE, and the team, Mazin underwent a successful minimally invasive procedure, marking a significant milestone in his journey to recovery.

Mazin arrived at Aster Hospital presenting symptoms that are atypical for someone of his age, including severe fatigue, a blackout episode, and unusually high blood pressure. These symptoms led to a thorough cardiac evaluation, which utilized ECG, echocardiography, and CT aortography, ultimately revealing his condition. The coarctation of the aorta, an abnormal narrowing of the major artery that carries blood from the heart to the body, was identified as the culprit behind his symptoms.

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) affects 4-6% of all congenital heart defects and occurs in approximately 1 in every 2900 live births. It's more commonly diagnosed in males and typically identified in infants or young children, making Mazin’s case exceptionally rare due to his age. The rarity of discovering CoA in adolescence underscores the uniqueness of Mazin's situation and the challenges involved in treating him.

Dr. Naveed Ahmed highlighted the rarity of diagnosing CoA at such a late stage, emphasizing the potential risks of untreated conditions, including hypertension, heart failure, or stroke. He remarked, "Coarctation of the aorta is typically diagnosed during infancy or early childhood. It's extremely rare to catch it this late, and had it gone unnoticed for a few more years, it could have led to permanent hypertension, heart failure, or even stroke.

"While the procedure itself was technically smooth due to precise pre-procedural planning based on CT imaging, the true complexity of this case lies in the delayed diagnosis. Identifying and successfully treating the condition in adolescence after years of being missed made it both clinically challenging and unique."

The cardiology team chose a minimally invasive technique known as coarctoplasty with stent placement through the femoral artery, over conventional open-heart surgery. This approach significantly shortened Mazin's hospital stay, accelerated his recovery, and allowed him to rapidly resume his daily activities. Within a day post-surgery, Mazin's blood pressure stabilised, and his energy levels improved noticeably, enabling him to engage in physical activities and sports within 4-6 weeks.

Mazin expressed immense gratitude for the care he received, stating, "Before the treatment, I felt tired all the time and couldn't play or do normal things like other kids. Now I feel healthy and strong again. I'm so grateful to Dr. Naveed and the team at Aster Hospital Mankhool for helping me get my life back."