Surgeon uses cow tissue to reconstruct man’s heart

Jul 12, 2023 News

…as Guyana performs first open-heart surgery

Kaieteur News – The Caribbean Heart Institute’s (CHI) team led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Guyanese born heart surgeon Dr. Gary Stephens successfully conducted an open-heart surgery utilising cow tissue to reconstruct a patient’s heart.

This procedure is the first open-heart surgery of its kind, to be performed in the country.

The life-saving surgery, conducted on 24-year-old Dexter George, involved the complete removal of a cardiac tumour, partial removal of the right atrium, and the utilisation of bovine pericardium, a tissue derived from a cow’s heart, for the reconstruction of the damaged right atrium.

Dr. Gary Stephens, CEO of Caribbean Heart Institute

According to Dr. Stephens, “the procedure challenged the conventional understanding of the heart’s resilience, illustrating that substantial portions of the heart can be removed with positive outcomes”.

He added, “This remarkable feat could pave the way for more aggressive approaches in similar cases, pushing beyond traditional boundaries” Dexter had been diagnosed with a severe cardiac condition earlier this year.

A small lesion in the right atrium, initially believed to be a blood clot, rapidly grew into a massive tumour over the course of nine months growing to over 10cm in size. The tumour compromised heart function, and severely affected his daily life. The tumour partially blocked the Inferior and Superior vena cava, obliterated 90% of the right atrium, and severely compromised the function of George’s heart and more so his day-to-day activities.

George found himself in a state of right-sided heart failure, grappling with breathing difficulties, an engorged liver, and the inability to leave his bed unassisted.

Given the advanced stage of the tumour, the surgical team initially had limited options.

A hospitalised Dexter George after the completion of his open-heart surgery

However, they proposed utilising tissue derived from the lining of a cow’s heart to reconstruct the damaged right atrium.

Notwithstanding, the team offered to perform a procedure that involves excision of cardiac tumour (complete removal), subtotal excision of the right atrium (partial removal) and reconstruction of the right atrium with bovine pericardium (tissue from a cow’s heart).

The chances of survival were incredibly slim, less than one per cent, but both George and his family bravely agreed to take the risk.

The surgical team removed 90% of Dexter’s right atrium along with the enormous tumour that had plagued his heart. To reconstruct the damaged right atrium, they employed an unconventional technique, utilising tissue derived from the lining of a cow’s heart.

The nature of the mass, whether a cancerous angiosarcoma or an organised clot assimilated into the heart’s wall, awaits confirmation from the pathology report.

In an interview, Dr. Stephens shared “The procedure challenged the conventional understanding of the heart’s resilience, illustrating that substantial portions of the heart can be removed with positive outcomes”.

He added, “This remarkable feat could pave the way for more aggressive approaches in similar cases, pushing beyond traditional boundaries”.

Since undergoing surgery on June 22, 2023, Dexter has exhibited remarkable improvement.

According to George, “Physically, I get a little pain but I am happy, I know I haven’t fully recovered as yet but I know I will get there soon, I am just trying to push myself with my exercises so I can be okay.”

In the latter part of 2022, George was hospitalised after being stabbed four times on the left side of his chest. This vicious attack could have been fatal if not for prompt medical intervention. Following an initial surgical procedure, George received life-altering news that consequently changed his future from that moment onward.

Dexter George at the CHI facility located within GPHC

Before his first incident, George was like any other young adult his age. He worked as a welder during the week and enjoyed socialising with friends on the weekends, as he explained.

However, in June, George fell ill with a sudden fever and cold. Upon returning to the hospital, he received news that he had a mass on his heart. Soon after, he began to notice significant changes in his daily activities, such as experiencing shortness of breath. These symptoms progressed to the point where he became bedridden and unable to perform even the simplest tasks.

Dexter (centre) with his mom (left) and  fiancé (right)

Surgical team in the operating room

George recounted, “My initial reaction was like ‘Okay this is happening’ I know I have it, I have to keep positive.” He said his family were very supportive and remained by his side through the entire ordeal, “And that is what kept me, they supported me a lot and that is what made me say ‘I have to take this risk’.”

The power of prayer played a pivotal role in sustaining Dexter and his family as they navigated the proverbial ‘tough waters’ in pursuing this risky procedure. “I was here in the hospital; I couldn’t move really and when I did move, I was getting shortness of breath. I was like ‘Is best I take the risk’. If I didn’t get this surgery, I wouldn’t have lasted too long. I was praying to God and thanked him for coming out of this successfully and now we are here.”

When asked how he feels to be part of medical history in Guyana, he said, “I feel happy being part of the history and would like to encourage persons facing similar medical issues to be positive and take risks because the doctors do a very good job and it’s a nice opportunity to have life.”

George also expressed gratitude for the surgical team’s efforts and remains hopeful for a complete recovery. The Caribbean Heart Institute, located within the Georgetown Public Hospital, continues to be at the forefront of cardiovascular care and research.

To date, the institute has seen and treated approximately 25,000 patients with various heart ailments.

• Caribbean Heart Institute’s (CHI), Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Gary Stephens, reconstruct, surgeon