Dubai, UAE- March 18, 2024- Ms. Vivienne Alison Davidson, a 72-year-old UK expat, overcame severe carotid artery stenosis, a condition that caused her to have two recurrent strokes, through a complex surgical intervention carried out at Medcare Hospital Al Safa. Ms. Vivienne was in danger of having recurrent strokes due to her critical medical condition, but Dr. Saher Arour, a consultant vascular surgeon at Medcare, effectively managed her condition, providing her with a whole new chance at life again.

The patient had previously experienced two strokes when she met Dr. Saher Arour at Medcare Hospital Al Safa for her urgent health checks. Dr. Saher was concerned about Ms. Vivienne’s neurologic condition, so he suggested that she have her neck arteries tested, which is when the doctor discovered that she had an acute obstruction of blood supply to her brain due to artery blockage, also known as cerebrovascular insufficiency. This blockage was caused by significant stenosis or narrowing of the arteries. Her carotid arteries, the main blood channels that supply blood to the brain, had shrunk by 70% on the right side and 80% on the left.

The patient also had a history of atrial fibrillation, which causes an erratic and often abnormally high heartbeat. Her condition was exacerbated by the anticoagulant medicine she had previously taken to avoid blood clots after the strokes, necessitating a thorough assessment and a multidisciplinary medical approach.

Dr. Saher Arour sheds light on the intricacies of the case, stating, “Ms. Vivienne’s situation was indeed challenging. The high-grade stenosis, severe buildup of calcium, and abnormal bending of the carotid arteries required careful consideration. Our goal was to address the acute cerebrovascular insufficiency while navigating the complexities posed by the patient’s medical history.”

Patients with carotid artery narrowing have an increased risk of stroke as the degree of narrowing increases. While some % of narrowing is common with age, Ms. Vivenne had a carotid artery narrowing of more than 70%, which increases her risk of stroke significantly year on year.

Ms. Vivienne is currently in the recovery phase, with promising signs of improvement, and she can now walk short to medium distances and climb stairs without panting or shortness of breath but most importantly the risk of another stroke occurring has now been aligned with that of a normal person her age.

Ms. Vivienne expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am deeply grateful for the exceptional care I received from Dr. Saher Arour and the entire medical team at Medcare Hospital Al Safa”.

The success of Ms. Vivienne’s case not only marks a significant achievement in individual patient care, but also sets a benchmark for advanced vascular treatments in the UAE and beyond.

Reflecting on the broader implications of the success of the case, Dr. Saher stated, “This case opens new possibilities for patients facing similar conditions in the region. It signifies a breakthrough in vascular care, setting a precedent for future cases and elevating the standard of healthcare in the UAE.”14:02