Blog Topics: Magdi Yacoub; Heart Surgeon; Cardiothoracic Surgeon; Ross Procedure Specialist

The more I learn and interact with the heart valve surgery community the more I hear about those surgeons which deserve and receive [1] “best heart surgeon” labels.

That said, I have continued to hear the name of Magdi Yacoub over-and-over again. On one hand, the name Magdi Yacoub is not hard to forget. On the other hand, when you learn about all that Magdi Yacoub has accomplished it almost impossible to not mention his name along with the other heart surgeons we’ve been tracking.

Also, the fact that Magdi Yacoub is leading [2] I was lucky enough to recently interview Dr. Donald Ross.

So, without further ado…. Here is some background information on Sir Magdi Yacoub. Yes… Magdi Yacoub has a real, official “Sir” in front of his name. I guess that puts him in another category right alongside Paul McCartney and Richard Branson.

Magdi Yacoub - Professional Accomplishments

Sir Magdi Yacoub has performed more transplants than any other surgeon in the world and, as a scientist, his interest in the basic mechanisms of heart structure and function in health and disease has improved transplant surgery and patient care. Magdi Yacoub retired from the NHS in September 2001, but continues to head his research programme at Harefield Hospital, which he sees as, “treating patients in the future.”

Magdi Yacoub’s work is all about helping people live longer and more fulfilling lives and describes “seeing people who are not well getting so much better” as the most satisfying part of his job. His strong sense of social responsibility led him to establish the Chain of Hope charity, which sends teams of medics to the developing world to treat children suffering from heart disease free of charge. With all the knowledge we have scientifically, we have a responsibility to help,” he says. Magdi Yacoub is personally involved in the charitys missions and had just returned from Mozambique.

As well as treating children, the charity works to build up developing countries capacity to do operations and carry out research themselves. It helped to establish Maputo Heart Institute in Mozambique, which is training doctors and investigating how to treat EMS, a neglected heart disease. This disease affects up to 15% of children and young adults and leads to premature death. The charity also brings promising doctors from Mozambique to the UK for further training. Similarly 2 or 3 children from the developing world come to London for operations each month.

“The charity is called a Chain of Hope, because of the chain of people involved in the work we do - people donating money, people acting as host families for children and people donating their medical expertise,” Magdi Yacoub says.

What current areas of research are being investigated?

Magdi Yacoub and his team of 75 scientists are looking at new ways they can improve heart transplantation and repair damaged hearts. One emerging area is stem cell research. Stem cells are the master cells of the body and have the ability to develop into specific kinds of cells, such as heart cells. Magdi Yacoub hopes that they can be used to help the damaged heart regenerate itself and repair its own function. Currently, Yacoub is creating heart cells in the lab. Clinical trials will be needed before stem cells can be a part of everyday patient care, but nevertheless believes that the future for this technology, “could be near”. [3] For more on stem cells and heart valve replacement, click here.
Magdi Yacoub And Heart Valve Surgery

Magdi Yacoub is also researching techniques to improve the treatment of valvular heart disease. Valves guard the entrances and exits of the two pumping chambers of the heart and a disease or damaged valve can affect the flow of blood and put extra strain on the heart. Magdi Yacoub is exploring whether tissue engineering can be used to restore valve function.

Some work is also being carried out on xenotransplantation. However, Magdi Yacoub has reservations about this area. “There are still ethical problems about the risk of introducing new infections, which could be very dangerous to mankind,” he says. “There is a type of virus in the genome of the pig that could have a devastating impact if it crossed over to humans.”

If you have an interest in reaching Magdi Yacoub, his contact information is below:

Heart Science Centre
Harefield Hospital, Harefield
Middlesex UB9 6JH
United Kingdom

44 (0)1895 828893
44 (0)1895 828902 (Fax)

m.yacoub@imperial.ac.uk

www.hhsc.ac.uk

Keep on tickin,

Adam

[4] To learn more about Adam’s heart valve surgery book, click here.

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