Family travels over 400km to treat 11-month old son with congenital heart defect

FEB 23, 2021 @ 11.22AM
Healthcaretoday, children, parenting, congenital heart defect, paediatric heart surgery, holes in heart, infants, babies, Sunway Medical Centre, Echocardiogram, Ventricular Septal Defect Surgery, Dr Ang Hak Lee,
Rizqi had difficulty breathing. Numerous tests confirmed that he was born with two holes in his heart.
​Muhammad Shah Al-Rizqi Mohd Syazwi was only a week old when his parents discovered he had difficulty breathing. A handful of tests later in their hometown Kuala Terengganu confirmed a grave diagnosis – the newborn had two holes in his heart.

A congenital heart defect, VSD is an abnormal opening (hole) in the heart that forms between the heart's lower pumping chambers (ventricles), allowing oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to mix. Over time, if not repaired, this defect can increase the risk of other complications, including heart failure, high blood pressure in the lungs, irregular heart rhythms or stroke.
 
As Rizqi was experiencing regular side effects from this defect including tiredness and shortness of breath, it was necessary for him to seek treatment quickly.

In Malaysia, only a small number of hospitals have the expertise to treat the condition, leading Rizqi’s family to head to Sunway Medical Centre.

“In discussing Rizqi’s best options, our doctor at home strongly recommended seeking advice and planning his treatment at Sunway Medical Centre as the hospital has the latest state-of-the-art facilities and expertise that will help Rizqi lead a happier and healthier life,” said Mohd Syazwi Sameli, father.
 
Upon meeting Rizqi, Dr Ang Hak Lee, paediatric cardiologist at Sunway Medical Centre ran an Echocardiogram and subsequently recommended a Ventricular Septal Defect Surgery (VSD) Closure Surgery.

Four hour surgery
Rizqi’s procedure which took approximately four hours to complete went smoothly. Following the removal of his stitches, Rizqi will return home with his medication for follow-up for the next six-weeks under the care of his doctor in Kuala Terengganu.

“As parents, we were nervous about the procedure just like any parent would. Rizqi has always been an active child, so we were apprehensive about undergoing the surgery. We are thankful that he has come out healthier, stronger and quickly back to his energetic self just two days after the procedure.”
 
“We are thankful to the doctors, nurses, and support staff at Sunway Medical Centre who have been very helpful throughout our time there. They explained the procedure in detail, underlined the risks involved, shared possible outcomes and gave us information on Rizqi’s recuperation,” said Rizqi’s father.

“The success of the surgery was a milestone for Sunway Medical Centre as it not only required advanced facilities, but a knowledgeable team, comprising the surgeon, nurses and support staff,” said Ang. 

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