KUWAIT CITY, July 6: In a groundbreaking medical achievement, Dr. Ahmed Amir, vascular surgery consultant at Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital, has successfully performed the first arterial bypass surgery in Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf region using a biograft derived from a bovine carotid artery. The procedure was conducted on a 60-year-old patient suffering from severe lower limb perfusion insufficiency.

Dr. Amir explained that the patient had been battling chronic and complex arterial blockages in the legs, compounded by severe calcifications that rendered interventional catheterization ineffective. As a result, the surgical team opted for an arterial bypass procedure connecting the femoral artery to the knee artery using the innovative biograft, rather than artificial grafts or autologous veins, which were unavailable in this case.

“The biograft we used is derived from a cow’s carotid artery and undergoes a biological treatment process to transform it into a natural tissue,” Dr. Amir stated. “This makes it resistant to inflammation and highly efficient in facilitating blood flow.”

He noted that the technology presents a significant advancement in treating patients who lack suitable veins or suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes and kidney failure.

“This method marks a qualitative leap in managing acute limb ischemia,” he said. “It offers a promising solution for many patients who previously had no effective treatment options after traditional methods failed.”

In addition to bypass procedures, the biograft can also be used to create arteriovenous fistulas (AV fistulas) for dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease who lack usable veins, providing them with a safer and more efficient treatment pathway.

Dr. Amir expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Health for its ongoing support in making cutting-edge medical technologies accessible in Kuwait. He emphasized that a physician's duty goes beyond patient care—it also includes championing innovative solutions that improve lives and elevate the standard of healthcare.