In an achievement that reflects the rapid development witnessed by the health sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Heart Health Center at King Saud Medical City, affiliated with the First Riyadh Health Cluster, announced a qualitative leap in performance indicators during the past year, recording exceptional growth in the number of surgical operations by more than 96%, and a remarkable success in reducing the average response time to save patients with acute heart attacks to only 80 minutes, a figure that matches the best international standards.
Comprehensive development and record numbers
The center's annual statistics revealed a significant expansion in operational and surgical capabilities, with the percentage of successful open-heart surgeries reaching 96.7%, compared to the previous year. This growth is attributed to increased operational efficiency, the implementation of the latest medical protocols, and the availability of qualified staff, including surgeons, physicians, and technicians. Perhaps the most notable achievement was attaining a perfect score for operational discipline, with the center recording zero cancellations of scheduled heart surgeries throughout the entire year. This reflects the meticulous planning and exceptional coordination between the various departments.
General context and the Kingdom's Vision 2030
These achievements are a practical implementation of the goals of the Health Sector Transformation Program within the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to restructure the healthcare system to be more efficient and effective. The healthcare sector has witnessed significant investments in infrastructure, technology, and human resource training, with the goal of achieving a vibrant society where all members enjoy good health. Cardiovascular diseases are among the most prominent health challenges both locally and globally, making the development of specialized centers capable of providing superior care a top priority.
The importance of rapid response and its impact
Achieving an average of just 80 minutes between a heart attack patient's arrival at the emergency room and the opening of a blocked artery via catheterization (known globally as Door-to-Balloon Time) is a vital accomplishment. In the field of cardiology, it is well known that "time is heart muscle," and every minute of delay means greater, potentially irreversible, damage to the heart muscle. This record not only contributes to saving patients' lives but also significantly reduces future complications such as heart failure and improves the quality of life for those who recover. Nationally, this achievement solidifies King Saud Medical City's position as a leading referral center for the treatment of heart disease and enhances the confidence of citizens and residents in the local healthcare system.
Comprehensive statistics on cardiac interventions
The center's successes were not limited to surgical procedures but encompassed all cardiac interventions. The center performed over 8,143 medical procedures, including 872 emergency life-saving catheterizations and approximately 3,000 therapeutic catheterizations, achieving a high success rate of 96.3%. To support diagnostic and preventative care, the medical city enhanced its capabilities by conducting 14,400 high-resolution echocardiograms, contributing to the early detection of diseases and the development of proactive treatment plans to prevent the progression of conditions.
