Doctors Use Tiny Drill to Save 100-Year-Old Man After Heart Attack

Doctors at the Galilee Medical Center successfully treated a 100-year-old man who suffered a heart attack, employing a unique "tiny drill" technique to clear severe blockages in his arteries. Initially, the medical team hesitated to perform a cardiac catheterization due to the patient's advanced age and the associated risks. However, persistent chest pain prompted them to proceed.

During the procedure, doctors discovered chronic blockages and severe calcification in the patient's coronary arteries. The right coronary artery was completely blocked, and the main left artery, which supplies blood to the heart, was over 90% narrowed, along with significant calcification. This situation was particularly dangerous as the heart had developed natural bypasses to compensate for the blocked right artery, but the left system, now crucial, was also severely compromised.

Given the patient's age, open-heart surgery was not a viable option. The team discussed the risks with the patient and his son, explaining the potential outcomes of leaving the condition untreated versus the high-risk catheterization. The calcification presented a major challenge, as it could prevent the balloon used in angioplasty from opening the artery.

To overcome this, the doctors utilized a specialized technique called Rotational Atherectomy, using a device called a Rotablator. This instrument, equipped with a small, diamond-coated head spinning at high speed, effectively ground down the hardened calcium deposits within the artery. This allowed the team to subsequently use balloons to widen the narrowed sections and implant stents.

Following the successful procedure, the 100-year-old patient, who was described as mentally sharp and independent, was discharged two days later, free of chest pain and in good condition. Dr. Haitham Shuli, head of the catheterization unit, called the case "highly unusual" and noted the increasing frequency of treating elderly patients, emphasizing the importance of balancing age-related risks with the patient's functional status and quality of life. The hospital's director, Prof. Masad Barhoum, praised the combination of advanced technology, expertise, and complex decision-making that led to the successful outcome.