KUWAIT CITY, Jan 24: Kuwait’s Ministry of Health announced on Saturday the successful completion of the world’s first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure on a 111-year-old patient, marking a major milestone in interventional cardiology.

The procedure was performed by Dr. Ahmed Al-Shatti, Consultant Cardiologist and Head of the Cardiac Catheterization Unit at Al-Dabbous Center in Al-Adan Hospital, alongside Dr. Abdullah Ismail, Consultant Cardiologist and Head of the Cardiology Department at Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital and a board member of the Kuwait Heart Association, using the state-of-the-art Evolute FX Plus valve.

The patient, who had been living a normal daily life with routine follow-ups, experienced a recent decline in health due to severe aortic stenosis, causing repeated hospital admissions, drops in blood pressure, fluid accumulation in the lungs, and shortness of breath. The medical team decided to intervene urgently as the patient’s condition worsened.

Thanks to the team’s expertise, the procedure was completed in less than 40 minutes without complications. The patient’s condition stabilized immediately, and he has since resumed his daily activities.

The Ministry of Health highlighted that the achievement reflects Kuwait’s commitment to advancing healthcare services, adopting cutting-edge medical technologies, and maintaining international standards, strengthening the country’s position as a leading regional healthcare hub.