By Dr. Mohammed Aldahmashi

We started out the cardiac surgery in 2009 after we completed the infrastructure, equipment and supplies, with endless support of an Egyptian group that ultimately aims to support me as indigenous surgeon and my team to run the program. This review traces the development and current state of cardiothoracic surgery in University of Science and Technology Hospital (USTH).

In 2009, prof. Al-Sayed Kamel Akl and his Egyptian interdisciplinary cardiothoracic team achieved the first mission and we put our goal which is to make a self-sustaining cardiac surgery program in USTH.

“We are helping the Yemeni team to build-up the system for doing safe cardiac surgery and take care of the patients in Yemen, so the national cardiac surgery team can be self-sustaining and perform all cardiac surgeries on their own in next year (2010)” Alsayed Akl said.

After the 2009 mission, Continuous communication and information exchange between the supervisor and USTH cardiac surgery staff reinforced continued learning. The Egyptian cardiac team has made six missions to USTH, where they evaluated the cardiac patients and did surgical interventions so far, with “great” outcomes and developed a team of skilled practitioners.

1n 2010 we performed our first independent adult cardiac surgery, and we are progressing in doing well in step leader manner. Now USTH cardiac surgery team is self-sustained regarding straight forward cardiac surgery cases. This achievement is in large part due to training and education from an interdisciplinary cardiothoracic team at Cairo university hospitals (Egypt).

The idea for the Cardiac surgery team at USTHospital to establish a self-sustaining cardiac surgery program came from prof. Tareq abu lohoom, who dreamt about the ability to establish the advanced and well equipped cardiovascular center to treat the cardiac patients in Yemen.

Since 2008 until 2010, we were regularly visiting the cardiac centers in Cairo, and conducted a needs assessment to determine the feasibility of establishing a self-sustaining cardiac surgery program. During these visits at the Egyptian cardiac centers, we build up our knowledge and skill on cardiac surgery, anesthesia and perioperative care of patients with adult heart disease.

Through 2011 our team established best practices through one-on-one mentoring, standard procedure, and by real professional and communication skills. Maintenance and training of the local team was also supported by prof. Axel from Germany through many working visits.

The program continued to grow and reached a good level at Varieties of open-heart surgeries consisted primarily of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), and valve surgery either replacement or repair for Triple, double or single valve lesions in addition to aorta surgery.

I have always strived to provide the very best in all aspects of thoracic surgical care; pulmonary, mediastinal and pleural surgeries in addition to the chest trauma surgery. We practice the minimal access techniques which contribute to the safety and successful outcomes for the patient.

The current step; (2013- 2015) we are proud to expand our services to meet with remarkable progress in the hospital in order to be able to achieve the most of Thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) spectrum and Bronchoscopic therapeutic procedures.

The multidisciplinary staff members have learned assessment skills and can verbalize their understanding of cardiac defects and physiology, vital signs and pain management, and the importance of direct communication within the team. Their high skills not be utilized during cardiac surgery, but also in the CCU and during the care of daily patients.

We encourage the patient that we’ve operated on to come back to the hospital for follow-up and echocardiograms to see how they are progressing.

“The ultimate goal next year (2014) is to utilize the Turkey-Yemeni Team collaboration program which aimed at advanced build up the system of work and Advanced Training of the USTH team which in turn will enhance the Building and strengthening of the trust’s bridges with the authorities and people in Yemen and African Horn States.

Over the next few years, this specialty will evolve into a well-tuned major cardiac surgery center, which would include all aspects of cardiothoracic disease intervention.

Dr. Mohammed Aldahmashi

M.B.B.Ch., M.Sc., M.D.(cardiothoracic surgery) Cairo University. 

Consultant - Cardiothoracic surgeon in University of science & Technology Hospital (USTH). 

Assistant Professor of cardiothoracic Surgery, Thamar University. 

Board member of The Gulf Heart Association.

Active member of European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS)