In a groundbreaking achievement for Pakistan’s healthcare sector, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) has successfully performed the country’s first-ever total arch replacement using the Frozen Elephant Trunk (Tarfet) technique — a highly complex cardiac surgery regarded among the most technically demanding in cardiovascular medicine.
The 16-hour marathon operation, led by Prof. Ugursay Kiziltepe, an internationally acclaimed cardiovascular surgeon from Türkiye, was carried out on a 16-year-old boy from Khairpur, suffering from a life-threatening aortic condition. The entire procedure was conducted completely free of cost under the Sindh government’s public health programme, marking a historic milestone in Pakistan’s medical history.
Working alongside Prof. Kiziltepe were Dr. Khuzaima Tariq, Prof. Asad Bilal Awan, and consultant anaesthesiologist Prof. Amin M. Khuwaja from NICVD, as well as Dr. Muhammad Fahad from the Trauma Centre Karachi. The operation required exceptional precision, endurance, and teamwork, showcasing NICVD’s growing capacity to perform advanced cardiac procedures once limited to only a few specialised centres globally.
Prof. Kiziltepe praised the collaboration, saying:
“It was an honour to work with the skilled and dedicated team at NICVD. This surgery required the utmost precision and coordination, and its success reflects Pakistan’s readiness to perform world-class cardiovascular procedures.”
Dr. Tariq described the achievement as a “tremendous milestone” for Pakistan, adding that it highlights the institute’s depth, planning, and preparedness. Prof. Awan noted that even some of the most advanced global medical centres rarely perform this operation, making the success even more remarkable.
Dr. Fahad termed it a “remarkable display of medical collaboration and endurance,” while Prof. Khuwaja commended the coordinated anaesthetic management during the high-risk, 16-hour operation.
NICVD’s Executive Director, Prof. Tahir Saghir, called the achievement a “proud moment for Pakistan’s healthcare system”, crediting the Sindh government’s visionary leadership and sustained support for making such advanced, free-of-cost cardiac care possible.
“This remarkable success reaffirms NICVD’s mission to provide world-class cardiac treatment free of charge, ensuring no one in Pakistan is deprived of quality healthcare due to financial constraints,” said Prof. Tahir Saghir.
The young patient is now recovering well, with positive post-operative progress. The surgery, which would have cost over Rs 6 million in private healthcare, stands as a shining example of medical excellence, global collaboration, and the Sindh government’s commitment to accessible healthcare for all.
