A specialist surgical team at the Euracare Advanced Diagnostic and Heart Centre in Adjiringano has successfully performed a complex cardiovascular procedure, marking a landmark moment for advanced medical care in Ghana.
Led by Professor Ben Dabo Sarkodie, the vascular team carried out a Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair — commonly known as TEVAR — on a patient diagnosed with a thoracic aortic aneurysm. The procedure, performed with technical support from global medical technology company Medtronic, involved the precise implantation of three overlapping Valiant Captivia stent grafts to seal off the aneurysm from the body’s circulation, eliminating the risk of a potentially fatal rupture.
Understanding the Condition
An aortic aneurysm develops when a section of the artery wall weakens and begins to bulge outward under the pressure of blood flow. Left untreated, the affected area can expand progressively until it ruptures — a life-threatening emergency that can cause severe internal bleeding and, in many cases, prove fatal. Early intervention is critical.
Unlike conventional open-heart surgery, TEVAR is a minimally invasive technique used to treat conditions affecting the thoracic aorta — the portion of the body’s largest artery that runs through the chest. Rather than requiring a large surgical opening, the procedure is performed through small incisions, typically in the groin area, through which surgeons carefully guide a stent graft along the blood vessels to the damaged section of the aorta. Once in position, the stent graft is deployed to reinforce the weakened arterial wall and reroute blood flow away from the aneurysm, significantly reducing the risk of rupture and restoring normal circulatory function.
A Milestone for Ghanaian Healthcare
The successful placement of three overlapping stent grafts in a single procedure speaks to the exceptional level of technical expertise and coordinated teamwork within the Euracare vascular unit. Beyond the immediate benefit to the patient, the achievement carries broader significance for Ghana’s healthcare landscape.
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For years, patients requiring such specialised cardiovascular interventions have had little choice but to travel abroad in search of treatment — an option that remains financially and logistically out of reach for many. This procedure demonstrates that world-class vascular surgery is now being performed on home soil, delivered through the combination of advanced medical technology, rigorous pre-operative planning, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Medical professionals have welcomed the outcome as a defining step forward for vascular surgery in Ghana — one that raises the bar for what is possible within the country’s growing healthcare infrastructure.