MTRH Doctors Save Pregnant Mother and Unborn Baby in Emergency Heart Procedure

By Elvis Wasike

Doctors at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) have successfully performed a complex emergency cardiac procedure on a critically ill expectant mother, saving both her life and that of her unborn baby.

The hospital’s Cardiology team carried out a Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Valvotomy (PMBV), guided by Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE), after the patient developed serious complications linked to an underlying mitral valve condition during pregnancy.

Following a comprehensive assessment, a multidisciplinary cardiac team determined that urgent intervention was necessary to protect the health of both the mother and her unborn child.

The procedure was led by Dr Constantine Akwanalo and Dr David Lagat, with support from Reuben Yano. Anaesthesia services were provided by Dr Edwin Gudu and Dr Mitchell Okutoyi, supported by Cath Lab nurses Jacqueline Kirui, Purity Chebet, Kelvin Masiga and Olive Mugodo.

Technical support was provided by Biomedical Engineer Andrew Chelulei and Radiographer Reuben Mutai.

The highly specialised intervention was guided using both TEE and the Cath Lab image intensifier system, providing the medical team with detailed, real-time images of the heart and mitral valve throughout the procedure.

The procedure was successfully completed, with both the mother and her baby reported to be safe.

MTRH said the successful intervention is the third emergency case of its kind to be successfully managed through its Cath Lab, demonstrating the hospital’s growing capacity to handle complex and time-sensitive cardiac emergencies.

The hospital further noted that the procedure was fully covered by the Social Health Authority (SHA), providing access to advanced cardiac intervention services for the patient.

MTRH Head of Cardiology Dr Ayub Barasa said the successful outcome demonstrated the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork, specialised expertise and advanced cardiac technology in managing complex emergencies.

MTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr Philip Kirwa said the hospital continues to strengthen its capacity to provide specialised and time-critical cardiac care to patients from across Kenya and beyond.

The hospital congratulated the entire multidisciplinary team for their professionalism, coordination and commitment to providing high-quality specialised healthcare.