Abuja, Nigeria
Mission Report
Federal Medical Center Abuja,Nigeria
Cardiac Surgery Camp 2024
On December 5th, 2024, CardioStart International performed a mission to Federal Medical Center Abuja – Nigeria in continued support of advancing this important cardiovascular program. Fourteen volunteers from four countries came together to accomplish this goal in Abuja, Nigeria. The collaborative local and CardioStart teams completed 4 complex and high risk cardiac interventions, multiple evaluations and treatments, as well as ongoing multidisciplinary skill transfer and education. All patients recovered well and were discharged within one week of their procedure.A few weeks before embarking on the mission to Abuja, we initiated a pre-selection of potential patients for the cardiac camp week. Therefore, on the very first day upon our arrival in Abuja, we conducted the patient selection. Through the multidisciplinary team, including cardiologists, echocardiographers, and cardiac surgeons, we reassessed all the pre-selected patients, reviewed their medical records, checked laboratory results, examined imaging studies such as CT scans and catheterizations, and performed echocardiograms on all of them again.After intensive discussions of the cases and an analysis of the severity of each condition, the possibility of surgery, and the necessary materials for each procedure, we decided to safely perform four surgeries during the mission. All four surgeries were of high complexity, including one case of reoperation, a patient with biventricular dysfunction and coronary artery disease.
We decided to keep Friday as a open schedule in case of any unforeseen complications during the week and because we knew that part of our team would be going to LASUTH on Wednesday. If we pause and reflect, while performing only four surgeries might not seem like a large volume, but the complexity of these cases was truly significant. Each surgery involved meticulous planning and careful evaluation, with some lasting as long as 13 hours or 10 hours. The team had to undertake detailed and thorough assessments of each patient’s condition, making the procedures incredibly demanding. Despite the relatively small number of surgeries, the experience gained was invaluable for the local team, providing them with an exceptional learning opportunity. These cases not only challenged the team’s skills but also deepened their understanding and strengthened their expertise in managing complex cardiac conditions.In summary, the cases were primarily composed of patients with rheumatic valvular heart diseases, mostly presenting with advanced clinical conditions, where complicating factors of the disease could be observed, such as atrial enlargement, increased pulmonary artery pressure, ventricular dysfunction, and atrial fibrillation. We had one reoperation, where a septal defect had initially been closed with a pericardial patch and a mitral valvuloplasty performed. Due to the natural progression of the disease, it became necessary to perform a mitral valve replacement along with the tricuspid. As the final case, we opted to perform a bypass surgery on a patient with severe occlusive and subocclusive lesions in the coronary territory, associated with poor distal beds.
While we are fortunate to have the support of countless generous donors who make these efforts possible, we feel particularly indebted to Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences and Braille for their invaluable contributions. Their continued support was critical to the success of our mission in Nigeria. This mission would not have been possible without their facilitation of prosthetic heart valves, cannulas, as well as Edwards Lifesciences’ generous donation of essential surgical materials. Their contributions ensured that we could provide high-quality care and perform complex surgeries on patients in need, significantly improving their outcomes and quality of life.Education is a very important aspect of every CardioStart mission, and it extends far beyond the operating room. The transmission of knowledge within a multidisciplinary team is crucial, especially in a setting like the Federal Medical Center in Abuja, which hosts numerous medical students and residents. It is essential to provide education not only in the surgical aspects of cardiac surgery but also in the broader spectrum of care, including perfusion, anesthesia, and the critical role of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. These areas are fundamental in ensuring successful outcomes for patients undergoing complex procedures. Equally important are the ICU nurses, whose expertise in post-operative care is vital for managing critically ill patients after cardiac surgery. Their ability to navigate the complexities of post-operative recovery significantly influences patient outcomes. Furthermore, the daily medical rounds with the multidisciplinary team were an invaluable learning experience. These rounds fostered cohesion and a shared understanding of each patient’s clinical
status, allowing us to develop logical, well-informed treatment plans. The collaborative approach not only enhanced our medical knowledge but also strengthened the overall care provided to our patients.
While we are fortunate to have the support of countless generous donors who make these efforts possible, we feel particularly indebted to Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences and Braille for their invaluable contributions. Their continued support was critical to the success of our mission in Nigeria. This mission would not have been possible without their facilitation of prosthetic heart valves, cannulas, as well as Edwards Lifesciences’ generous donation of essential surgical materials. Their contributions ensured that we could provide high-quality care and perform complex surgeries on patients in need, significantly improving their outcomes and quality of life.Education is a very important aspect of every CardioStart mission, and it extends far beyond the operating room. The transmission of knowledge within a multidisciplinary team is crucial, especially in a setting like the Federal Medical Center in Abuja, which hosts numerous medical students and residents. It is essential to provide education not only in the surgical aspects of cardiac surgery but also in the broader spectrum of care, including perfusion, anesthesia, and the critical role of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. These areas are fundamental in ensuring successful outcomes for patients undergoing complex procedures. Equally important are the ICU nurses, whose expertise in post-operative care is vital for managing critically ill patients after cardiac surgery. Their ability to navigate the complexities of post-operative recovery significantly influences patient outcomes. Furthermore, the daily medical rounds with the multidisciplinary team were an invaluable learning experience. These rounds fostered cohesion and a shared understanding of each patient’s clinical
status, allowing us to develop logical, well-informed treatment plans. The collaborative approach not only enhanced our medical knowledge but also strengthened the overall care provided to our patients.
The cardiac surgery partnership between cardio start and the Federal Medical Center in Abuja has shown remarkable progress in recent years. It’s clear to see the dedication and passion that the local team has invested in the program, and the strong support provided by the hospital’s administration is playing a crucial role in its ongoing development. This combined effort has resulted in notable strides in improving the quality of care and expanding the reach of the services offered. Although there is still a journey ahead to make the center a recognized hub of excellence in the field, the current momentum is promising.Dr. Alioke and his entire team have been fundamental to this success. Their commitment to advancing cardiac care in Nigeria is inspiring, and they continue to overcome challenges with resilience and determination. While there are undoubtedly obstacles to face, the shared vision of enhancing the program’s capabilities ensures that these hurdles can be addressed and improved upon over time. Together, the team is cultivating a sustainable future for the cardiac surgery program that will benefit countless patients in the years to come.This initiative is of vital importance for the population of Nigeria, where access to high-quality healthcare has long been a challenge. The continued development of this program offers hope not only for those directly affected by heart disease but also for the broader community, fostering a future where life-saving surgeries are accessible and effective. As the program continues to grow, it will undoubtedly become a beacon of hope for many, demonstrating that with vision, perseverance, and collaboration, great change is possible. Hope is not just a dream; it is a reality being built every day.
Acknowledgments:
Medtronic for donation of implantable cardiac devices and prosthetic heart valves Edwards Lifesciences Foundation for donation of biologic heart valves. Braile for donation of Biologic Valves
The cardiac surgery partnership between cardio start and the Federal Medical Center in Abuja has shown remarkable progress in recent years. It’s clear to see the dedication and passion that the local team has invested in the program, and the strong support provided by the hospital’s administration is playing a crucial role in its ongoing development. This combined effort has resulted in notable strides in improving the quality of care and expanding the reach of the services offered. Although there is still a journey ahead to make the center a recognized hub of excellence in the field, the current momentum is promising.Dr. Alioke and his entire team have been fundamental to this success. Their commitment to advancing cardiac care in Nigeria is inspiring, and they continue to overcome challenges with resilience and determination. While there are undoubtedly obstacles to face, the shared vision of enhancing the program’s capabilities ensures that these hurdles can be addressed and improved upon over time. Together, the team is cultivating a sustainable future for the cardiac surgery program that will benefit countless patients in the years to come.This initiative is of vital importance for the population of Nigeria, where access to high-quality healthcare has long been a challenge. The continued development of this program offers hope not only for those directly affected by heart disease but also for the broader community, fostering a future where life-saving surgeries are accessible and effective. As the program continues to grow, it will undoubtedly become a beacon of hope for many, demonstrating that with vision, perseverance, and collaboration, great change is possible. Hope is not just a dream; it is a reality being built every day.
Acknowledgments:
Medtronic for donation of implantable cardiac devices and prosthetic heart valves Edwards Lifesciences Foundation for donation of biologic heart valves. Braile for donation of Biologic Valves
