The national medical team, led by Dr. Al-Tayeb Al-Qallaf, successfully performed a groundbreaking aortic valve replacement on a Kuwaiti woman in her eighties at the Salman Al-Dabbous Cardiac Center.
Utilizing the highly specialized BASILICA and UNICORN techniques for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), the team completed the complex procedure without the need for open-heart surgery—marking one of the rarest medical feats of its kind in the Middle East.
The Ministry of Health explained that the patient had previously undergone aortic valve replacement in 2019 but recently began experiencing symptoms indicating the failure of the implanted valve.
Due to the extremely high risk associated with traditional valve replacement—particularly the near-certain risk of coronary artery blockage—open-heart surgery was ruled out as an option given the patient’s advanced age and fragile health condition.
In response, the medical team opted for a cutting-edge catheter-based intervention. The BASILICA technique, which involves slicing the valve leaflet using an electric current to prevent coronary artery obstruction, was used in tandem with the UNICORN technique.
The latter deploys a guided radiofrequency needle to modify or remove tissue that might impede coronary blood flow—providing additional safety in complex scenarios where BASILICA alone may not suffice.
The intricate operation lasted approximately nine hours and was completed successfully without any surgical intervention or complications. Dr. Al-Qallaf described the achievement as a major milestone in cardiac care, especially for patients with prior interventions.
He emphasized that the combined use of BASILICA and UNICORN technologies reflects the rapid advancement of healthcare capabilities in Kuwait and the competence of national medical professionals in performing world-class procedures.
He further expressed his gratitude to Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Awadhi and Undersecretary Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi for their unwavering support and provision of critical resources, which made this success possible. He stressed that the accomplishment underscores the importance of investing in national talent and fostering a collaborative medical environment.
The operation was executed by an integrated team under Dr. Al-Qallaf’s supervision and included prominent cardiologists: Dr. Sadiq Abdul, Dr. Ali Al-Humaidan, Dr. Ahmed Al-Shatti, Dr. Abdullah Ismail, Dr. Nawar Jabour, and Dr. Yaldash, alongside a dedicated nursing, anesthesia, intensive care, and cardiac unit staff.
This landmark achievement not only demonstrates Kuwait’s growing expertise in complex cardiovascular treatments but also positions the nation as a regional leader in minimally invasive cardiac care.
