RIYADH: A senior Saudi heart Surgeon has been honoured with the Health Research Excellence: Applied Innovation Award in recognition for his remarkable contributions to advancing research, enhancing knowledge, and fostering innovation in healthcare, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Thursday.
Head of Cardiac Surgery and Director of the Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery Program at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) Professor Feras Khaliel was honored with the award at the inaugural day of the Global Health Exhibition (GHE).
The award commemorates Khaliel’s successful completion of the world’s first robotic heart transplant on a 16-year-old patient suffering from end-stage (Class IV) heart failure. The achievement is a turning point in heart transplant surgery practices with a medical approach that depends on minimal surgical intervention, thereby reducing pain, shortening recovery times, and minimizing the risks of complications.
According to a KFSHRC, the center continues to set itself apart by providing innovative specialized healthcare services, especially through its robotic heart surgery program which has experienced accelerated success since its establishment in 2019.
KFSHRC’s robotic heart surgery program has introduced innovative cardiac procedures, such as robotic multi-valve surgeries and robotic aortic valve replacement. Additionally, it has integrated cutting-edge technologies pertaining to mechanical circulatory support (MCS) systems, including ventricular assist devices (VADs), which aid the heart in pumping blood.
