A medical team led by Dr. Omar Tamimi, an interventional catheter consultant in King Abdulaziz Medical City – Riyadh successfully performed a rare catheterization procedure on a Saudi premature baby; the catheterization was performed where the pulmonary artery and vein were connected.
The premature baby was suffering from low blood oxygen levels and was completely dependent on a ventilator since his birth. First, he underwent an interventional catheterization, where the arteries of the left lung were located, and 3 vascular plugs were suited to close 80% of abnormal arteries.
After the procedure, an improvement in the blood oxygen concentration was marked by 80 to 90% , and the baby was successfully off the ventilator without any complications; and is expected to be discharged in the upcoming few days.
This case is considered rare for children, especially newborns given the need for a surgical intervention or catheter intervention. In addition, the medical team has decided to undertake the second stage of his treatment plan after the newborn is 6 or 8 months old.