- Emergency open surgery successfully treats one of the most fatal vascular conditions
- Rapid diagnosis and coordinated care lead to full recovery
Abu Dhabi, UAE – July 2026 – Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Medical City (STMC), part of the SEHA network and a subsidiary of PureHealth, has successfully performed a life-saving emergency surgery for an 85-year-old patient admitted with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, one of the most critical and life-threatening vascular emergencies.
The patient arrived at the Emergency Department complaining of severe abdominal pain accompanied by low blood pressure. A contrast-enhanced CT scan was immediately performed, revealing a rupture of the main abdominal aorta, a condition that can cause rapid internal bleeding and carries an extremely high mortality rate if not treated urgently.
The vascular surgery team at SEHA’s STMC was consulted immediately to assess the case. Due to the nature of the rupture, placing an endovascular stent was not possible, leaving high-risk open surgery as the only life-saving option.
Following the procedure, the patient was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, where he remained under close monitoring for three days. His condition gradually stabilised, and he continued to recover steadily.
Dr. Sulaiman Al Shamsi, Chief of Vascular Division at SEHA’s STMC, said: “This case highlights the importance of preparation, effective teamwork, and the trust families place in us during life-threatening emergencies. Our teams responded with exceptional speed and precision, ensuring that every decision was guided by patient safety and clinical excellence.”
Dr Nashwan Ahmed, Senior Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon at SEHA’s STMC, who led and performed the surgery said: “This was an extremely high-risk case given the patient’s age and the severity of the rupture. Alongside a dedicated team of surgeons and anesthesiologists, we performed a complex open aortic repair in which the ruptured section of the aorta was replaced and reinforced using a synthetic graft, successfully controlling the bleeding and restoring circulation. Rapid diagnosis and strong teamwork were critical to stabilising the patient and performing the surgery safely, and I am proud of how our team worked together under pressure to deliver life-saving care.”
Cases of this nature carry considerable clinical importance, as they emphasize the need for heightened awareness of infrarenal aortic aneurysms and reinforce the crucial role of early diagnosis in preventing catastrophic rupture.
In this instance, the patient arrived with abdominal pain accompanied by mild hypotension. Management was particularly complex due to the patient’s advanced age and the fact that endovascular intervention was not a viable option. The medical team faced a critical dilemma: although open surgery carried substantial risk, withholding treatment would have resulted in an immediate and serious threat to the patient’s life.
Following a thorough evaluation by a multidisciplinary team, a decision was made to undertake a high-risk open surgical intervention. The procedure was carried out successfully with the collaboration of an expert anesthesia team and experienced vascular surgeons. Despite the complexity and risks involved, the patient responded well to the surgery and survived.
This case highlights the essential role of coordinated teamwork, prompt clinical judgment, and readiness in the successful management of life-threatening vascular emergencies.
This case highlights SEHA’s Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Medical City’s ability to manage complex medical emergencies through advanced surgical capabilities and highly coordinated clinical teams. As part of the SEHA network, it continues to expand access to specialised emergency care for patients in Al Ain and across Abu Dhabi.
About PureHealth:
PureHealth is the largest healthcare group in the Middle East with an ecosystem that challenges lifespans and reimagines health spans. With 110+ hospitals, 316+ clinics, multiple diagnostic s, health insurance solutions, pharmacies, health tech, procurement, investments, and more, its groundbreaking innovations are at the forefront of healthcare. The company is on a mission to unlock time for humankind. By advancing the science of longevity, PureHealth is introducing the healthcare of the future from the United Arab Emirates to the rest of the world.
PureHealth’s network comprises:
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- SEHA – One of the largest healthcare networks of hospitals and clinics in the UAE
- SEHA CLINICS – Delivering comprehensive community-based healthcare services
- Daman (The National Insurance Company) – The UAE’s leading health insurer
- The Medical Office – Overseeing Sheikh Khalifa Hospitals and healthcare facilities established under the initiatives of H.H. The President of the UAE
- Rafed – The UAE’s largest healthcare Group Purchasing Organisation
- PureLab – Managing and operating the largest network of laboratories in the region
- One Health – A network that provides end-to-end medical solutions to a base of over 300 healthcare service providers
- The Life Corner – Abu Dhabi’s first holistic pharmacy, serving the health and wellness establishment
- Ardent Health Services – The fourth largest privately held acute care hospital operator in the US
- Circle Health Group – The largest independent operators of hospitals in the UK
- Hellenic Healthcare Group (HHG) – the largest private healthcare provider in Greece and Cyprus
- PureCS – A leading cloud and technology services provider, specialising in IT management and consulting solutions, cybersecurity, cloud services and AI information systems
- Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) – The UAE’s largest healthcare complex, delivering integrated complex care
About SEHA:
SEHA is an independent, public joint stock company created to develop the curative activities of the public healthcare system in Abu Dhabi. The company operates a big number of the public hospitals and clinics of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. SEHA is a PureHealth asset, the largest healthcare platform in the Middle East.
SEHA is committed to continuously improving of customer care to recognised international standards and providing the community with world-class healthcare. SEHA operates 14 hospitals with over 2600 beds, 70 ambulatory care, family care, urgent care, 6 dialysis s, and 4 blood banks. Its facilities accommodate 132,000 inpatients annually, conduct 52,000 surgeries, and treat more than 6.7 million outpatients.
SEHA is one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the Middle East, with more than 20,000 doctors, nurses, ancillary care, and administrative personnel.
To find out more about SEHA’s specialised clinic or book an appointment, call 80050 or visit SEHA.ae. You can also book an appointment through the SEHA mobile app or WhatsApp 02 410 2200.
