Complex Life-Saving Aortic Surgery Successfully Performed Through Vascular and Cardiac Team Collaboration

A highly complex and life-saving vascular procedure has recently been successfully performed through a collaborative effort between vascular and cardiac surgical teams at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW). The operation marked the first time this advanced surgical approach had been carried out at the Trust, demonstrating the power of multidisciplinary teamwork and modern surgical techniques.

The patient, 61-year-old, initially sought medical attention after experiencing difficulty breathing and losing his voice, symptoms he initially believed were caused by a chest infection. Further investigation revealed a far more serious underlying condition — a critical 8cm aneurysm of the thoracic aorta, the body’s largest artery. Such aneurysms can be life-threatening if they rupture, making rapid diagnosis and intervention essential.

The complex procedure was led by Consultant Vascular Surgeon Mr Ashraf El-Sharkawy, working alongside Consultant Cardiac Surgeon Mr Uday Dandekar. The operation lasted approximately ten hours and required meticulous planning and coordination between multiple specialist teams.

Remarkably, the surgery was performed on a beating heart, without stopping the heart or using a heart-lung bypass machine — a highly specialised technique rarely undertaken.

The procedure involved opening the chest to create a bypass from the aorta to the arteries supplying the head and neck, ensuring continued blood flow to critical areas of the body. In addition, the vascular team performed a bypass procedure in the neck, connecting the left carotid artery, which supplies blood to the brain, to the left subclavian artery, which supplies the left arm. This ensured stable circulation during the repair.

The final stage of the operation involved inserting a specialised graft into the aorta through a small incision in the groin. This graft effectively excluded the aneurysm from the circulation, preventing the risk of rupture and restoring safe blood flow through the vessel.

Mr El-Sharkawy highlighted the importance of collaboration in delivering advanced surgical care.

“This case exemplifies the power of multidisciplinary teamwork and cutting-edge surgical expertise in delivering world-class patient care,” he said.

Mr Dandekar added that the procedure represented an important milestone for the Trust.

“It’s the first time this operation has been done at UHCW, especially on a beating heart without the heart being stopped or using the heart-lung machine.”

Both surgeons acknowledged the vital contribution of the wider healthcare team, including vascular and cardiac surgical colleagues, specialist nursing teams, cardiothoracic critical care staff, and Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Mathew Patteril.

Following the operation, Mr H expressed his gratitude for the care he received.

“Everything about the care I received was great,” he said. “I have never been ill before, so this has taught me to take nothing for granted.”

This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and specialist vascular care in the treatment of aortic aneurysms. Advanced endovascular techniques combined with multidisciplinary expertise are enabling increasingly complex conditions to be treated safely and effectively.

At Sharkawy Vascular Clinic, the focus remains on delivering advanced vascular assessment, early diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment for patients with both arterial and venous disease.