In a historic medical breakthrough, a team of surgeons at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) successfully performed Pakistan’s first-ever total arch replacement using the frozen elephant trunk (Tarfet) technique on a 16-year-old boy from Khairpur, marking a major milestone in the country’s medical history.
The 16-hour-long marathon surgery, one of the most technically demanding procedures in cardiovascular medicine, was led and supervised by Prof. Ugursay Kiziltepe, an internationally acclaimed cardiovascular surgeon from Türkiye, who collaborated with NICVD’s surgical team.
The complex operation was conducted entirely free of charge under the Sindh government’s health initiative, reaffirming its commitment to providing advanced cardiac care for all citizens.
“It was an honour to work with the skilled and dedicated team at the NICVD,” said Prof. Kiziltepe. “This surgery required utmost precision, coordination, and endurance. It represents a landmark in Pakistan’s medical capabilities.”
Working alongside Prof. Kiziltepe were Dr. Khuzaima Tariq and Prof. Asad Bilal Awan from the NICVD, Dr. Muhammad Fahad from the Trauma Centre Karachi, and Consultant Anaesthesiologist Prof. Amin M. Khuwaja of the NICVD. Their combined expertise and teamwork ensured the success of this rare and high-risk operation.
Dr. Tariq hailed the achievement as a defining moment for Pakistan’s medical community.
“Being part of Pakistan’s first successful total arch replacement with the modified frozen elephant trunk technique is a tremendous milestone for both the NICVD and our country,” he said.
He explained that the procedure replaces the aortic arch without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, combining thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with surgical precision — a feat achievable only at highly advanced cardiac centres worldwide.
Prof. Awan described the surgery as a rare accomplishment even in leading international medical institutions, crediting the collaboration between Turkish and Pakistani specialists for its success.
Dr. Fahad added that the experience reflected “the true spirit of medical collaboration and endurance,” emphasizing that the operation’s success highlighted Pakistan’s growing expertise in complex cardiac surgery.
Meanwhile, Prof. Khuwaja noted the anaesthetic challenges of the 16-hour procedure, saying,
“Maintaining patient stability throughout such a lengthy and high-risk operation required extraordinary coordination. We are pleased with the patient’s recovery progress.”
The patient, who suffered from a life-threatening aortic condition, is now recovering well and showing strong post-operative signs. The surgery, valued at approximately Rs6 million in private healthcare, was performed completely free of cost through the Sindh government’s support for NICVD’s free cardiac care program.
NICVD Executive Director Prof. Tahir Saghir praised the operation as a proud moment for Pakistan’s healthcare system.
“This remarkable success is a testament to the NICVD’s world-class standards and the Sindh government’s vision of providing free, quality cardiac care,” he said.
Prof. Saghir thanked the provincial leadership for their unwavering support, especially the Chief Minister and Health Minister, for strengthening public health infrastructure. He congratulated the entire NICVD team and Prof. Kiziltepe for their “exceptional professionalism, teamwork, and dedication.”
He reaffirmed that the NICVD remains committed to offering world-class, free-of-charge cardiac treatment to patients nationwide, ensuring that no one is deprived of life-saving healthcare due to financial limitations.
