KNH Makes History With First-Ever Off-Pump Heart Surgery in East and Central Africa

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) has recorded a major milestone in cardiac care after performing off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery.

This is an advanced heart procedure carried out while the patient’s heart continues beating, without the use of a heart-lung machine.

The ongoing KNH–KIBOS Cardiac Mission has seen 10 patients, including Bernard Egesa, undergo the specialised procedure, marking what the hospital says is the first time the technique has been performed in a public hospital in East and Central Africa.

According to KNH, OPCAB surgery enables surgeons to bypass blocked coronary arteries without stopping the heart during the operation.

Heart Surgery

Unlike conventional bypass surgery, which typically relies on a heart-lung machine to take over the heart’s function while it is temporarily stopped, this approach allows the heart to keep beating throughout the whole procedure.

Dr Nderitu, Head of the Cardiothoracic Unit at KNH, said the surgical team was able to repair the affected arteries while the heart remained in motion.

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“This time, we didn’t need to stop the heart. We repaired the arteries while the heart continued beating,” he said.

KNH also said the successful use of the beating-heart bypass technique is a milestone in cardiac surgery and reinforces efforts to improve the availability of complex medical procedures in public hospitals.

Local Surgeons

Additionally, the milestone also highlights the growing capacity of local specialists to perform complex heart procedures using modern surgical techniques.

The KNH–KIBOS Cardiac Mission brings together cardiac specialists to provide treatment for patients requiring coronary artery bypass surgery while strengthening specialised cardiac services at the country’s largest referral hospital.

For patients such as Bernard Egesa, the procedure represents more than a medical intervention.

It offers access to advanced heart treatment closer to home and reflects the continued development of specialised healthcare services in Kenya.

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Further, KNH said the successful use of the beating-heart bypass technique demonstrates progress in cardiac surgery and reinforces efforts to improve the availability of complex medical procedures within public hospitals.

Furthermore, the introduction of OPCAB surgery in the hospital will further the cause of specialized cardiac care and provide patients in the region with access to innovative treatment options.

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Photo of Kenyatta National Hospital Administration Block
PHOTO/KNH