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 blockage in the right coronary artery and over 90% narrowing along with severe calcification in the main left artery and its branches. Standard treatment options like open-heart surgery were deemed too risky for the patient. The team opted for a high-risk catheterization, facing the challenge of hardened calcium deposits.

To address the calcification, the doctors utilized a Rotablator device, a rotational atherectomy tool with a diamond-coated head that spins at high speed to grind away the calcium. This innovative approach allowed them to clear the obstructions, enabling the placement of stents to restore blood flow.

The patient, described as lucid and independent, recovered well and was discharged home pain-free just 48 hours after the procedure. "I've performed thousands of catheterizations and seen almost everything, but this is definitely an unusual case," stated Dr. Haitham Shuli, head of the catheterization unit. He added that as the population ages, they encounter more elderly patients, and while age is a significant factor, the patient's excellent condition justified the intervention.

Center director Professor Masad Barhum praised the team's "groundbreaking medical technology, clinical expertise, and complex decision-making" for saving the patient's life in this extreme case.