Advancements In Cardiovascular Care: IRDOC Collaborates With Medtronic To Perform The 10th EVAR/TEVAR In Nigeria
In a significant milestone for cardiovascular healthcare in Nigeria, the Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Oncology Center (IRDOC), collaborating with Medtronic Cardiac and Vascular, has successfully performed its 10th Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Repair (TEVAR) procedure.
Dr Hammed Ninalowo, a US-trained double-boarded Diagnostic and vascular/ Interventional Radiologist, the first US-trained Physician to offer the full spectrum of interventional Radiology services in Nigeria, and the founder/CEO of IRDOC, expressed his excitement on LinkedIn as he shared the news of the milestone.
As a cardiothoracic nurse, I’ve personally experienced a lot of advanced cardiovascular/cardiothoracic procedures and can testify to their complexities and the relief success brings to patients and their loved ones.
This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for advanced cardiac/cardiothoracic treatment in Nigeria, enhancing the availability of life-saving interventions for patients with complex vascular conditions.
EVAR and TEVAR are minimally invasive procedures used to treat aortic aneurysms, which can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the human body, extending from just above the heart to the abdomen. It has the shape of those candy canes we see mainly during Christmas—almost like a question mark sign “?”.
When the wall of the aorta is weak due to various factors, it can bulge due to the force of blood being pumped through it. This bulge is an aneurysm and can be fatal if immediate medical care isn’t rendered.
There are two major types of aneurysms: the Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA).
The traditional repair of aneurysms involves opening up the patient. This is why we appreciate procedures like TEVAR and EVAR, which do not require creating major chest or abdominal dissections. A small incision around the groin is all that is needed to correct the bulge in the wall of the aorta with the use of special X-rays, wires, catheters and other advanced medical pieces of equipment.
The success of these procedures not only demonstrates the growing expertise within Nigeria’s private healthcare sub-ecosystem but also highlights the importance of international partnerships in elevating medical standards in the country and creating a sustainable journey towards the end of medical tourism in Nigeria and West Africa.
This collaboration emphasises a commitment to improving patient outcomes by adopting cutting-edge technology and techniques.
IRDOC brings valuable resources and expertise to the table, ensuring patients receive top-notch care comparable to what is available anywhere in the world.
In 2021, the IRDOC team, in collaboration with Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, performed the first Endo-vascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) in the country, and in 2019, they performed the first prostate artery embolisation in Nigeria.
Private hospitals like Evercare Hospital Lekki, First Cardiology Consultants, Tristate Cardiovascular, Duchess Hospital and a host of others are among a new crop of super-speciality hospitals in Nigeria that are truly transforming the healthcare landscape.
As Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem continues to evolve, initiatives like this showcase the potential for advanced medical practices to become more accessible.
These kinds of partnerships should be supported heavily by the government.
Nigeria’s healthcare industry is among the weakest in the region, and its potential for improvement is untapped.
With more international partnerships between home-grown healthcare organisations and international bodies, we would definitely begin to see great improvement and can finally be on our way to eliminating medical tourism (forever), which is a real burden on Nigerians.
Why do you’ve to travel that far to seek healthcare when your country has the potential even to provide you with better care?
That is a good question.
With the continued support of international organisations and innovations in medical technology, we look forward to seeing even more advancements in cardiovascular care in Nigeria.
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