KARACHI: The National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) has achieved a major medical milestone by successfully performing Pakistan’s first-ever Total Arch Replacement with the Frozen Elephant Trunk Technique on a 16-year-old patient from Khairpur. The complex heart surgery, which lasted over 16 hours, marks a groundbreaking moment in the country’s cardiac care history.
Due to the extraordinary complexity of the case, international cardiovascular expert Prof. Ugursay Kiziltepe from Türkiye was specially invited to assist the NICVD team. The surgery was carried out under his supervision in collaboration with Dr. Khuzaima Tariq, Prof. Asad Bilal Awan, Dr. Muhammad Fahad (Cardiovascular Surgeon, Trauma Centre Karachi), and Prof. Amin M. Khuwaja, Consultant Anesthesiologist at NICVD.
The young patient is now recovering well and showing excellent post-operative progress. Notably, the surgery — which would normally cost around Rs. 6 million — was performed completely free of cost through the support of the Government of Sindh.
Prof. Ugursay Kiziltepe praised NICVD’s team, saying, “This first-ever successful Total Arch Replacement with the Frozen Elephant Trunk Technique in Pakistan required exceptional precision and teamwork. It demonstrates NICVD’s readiness to perform advanced cardiovascular procedures previously limited to only a few global centers.”
Dr. Khuzaima Tariq described the operation as “one of the most technically demanding procedures in cardiovascular surgery,” emphasizing that its success reflects NICVD’s growing expertise in performing highly complex aortic surgeries within Pakistan.
Prof. Asad Bilal Awan commended the teamwork between local and international specialists, noting that “such collaboration was key to this rare surgical success.”
Dr. Muhammad Fahad added, “It was an honor to work alongside NICVD’s outstanding team and Prof. Kiziltepe. The precision and coordination maintained throughout the 16-hour operation demonstrate Pakistan’s advancing capability in complex cardiac care.”
Prof. Amin M. Khuwaja highlighted the anesthetic challenge, saying, “Maintaining patient stability for such a long, intricate surgery required meticulous coordination and constant vigilance.”
Concluding the announcement, Prof. Tahir Saghir, Executive Director NICVD, said, “This historic achievement is a proud moment for Pakistan and a testament to NICVD’s legacy of excellence. I extend my gratitude to the Government of Sindh, particularly the Chief Minister and Health Minister, for their visionary leadership and unwavering support. Their commitment to free, quality healthcare has made such breakthroughs possible.”
He added that this success reinforces NICVD’s mission to provide world-class, free-of-cost cardiac treatment to every patient across the country — ensuring that no one is denied life-saving care due to financial constraints.
NICVD continues to lead Pakistan’s cardiac healthcare landscape through innovation, teamwork, and compassion, setting new standards in advanced cardiovascular surgery and patient care.
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