Selwa Hussain, a resident of London, carries an extraordinary burden every day—a 6-kilogram rucksack that houses her artificial heart. Her life took a dramatic turn in 2017 when she began experiencing debilitating breathlessness. Despite her discomfort, she managed to summon the strength to drive to her family doctor in Clayhall, Essex. Little did she know that this would be the beginning of a life-altering journey.
Breathlessness and Diagnosis: Selwa's Race Against Time
Upon visiting her local hospital, Selwa received distressing news—she was diagnosed with severe heart failure. Recognizing the urgency of her condition, the medical team at the hospital immediately transferred her to Harefield Hospital. However, Selwa's situation was precarious. She was too ill to be supported by a ventricular assist device, commonly known as a support pump, and her condition rendered her ineligible for a heart transplant.
A Desperate Decision: Selwa's Path to an Artificial Heart
Faced with this dire predicament, Selwa's husband, Al, made a courageous decision—to grant consent for his wife to receive an artificial heart. The surgical team at Harefield Hospital wasted no time. They undertook a complex procedure, removing Selwa's failing natural heart and replacing it with an artificial implant. To facilitate the functioning of the artificial heart, a specialized unit was installed on her back, while a second backup unit was prepared in case of emergencies.
The Backpack of Hope: Unveiling the Inner Workings of Selwa's Artificial Heart
Selwa's life now depends on the equipment she carries in her rucksack. The backpack contains an assortment of crucial components, including batteries, an electric motor, and a pump. These elements work in harmony, propelling air through tubes that power plastic chambers within Selwa's chest. The rhythmic expansion and contraction of these chambers effectively push blood throughout her body, simulating the function of a real heart.
Unwavering Support: The Presence of Caregivers in Selwa's Journey
To ensure her safety, Selwa is accompanied by her devoted husband or another caregiver at all times. They share the responsibility of vigilance, knowing that if an emergency arises, they have a mere 90 seconds to connect Selwa to the backup unit in her second backpack. This level of preparedness is necessary to sustain her life.
Heartbeat of Resilience: Living with an Artificial Heart
Living with an artificial heart is not without its challenges. Selwa experiences a constant vibration in her chest due to the artificial heart's operation at 138 beats per minute. The motor within her backpack tirelessly pumps, generating a distinct whirring sound. Two substantial plastic tubes, originating from her backpack, enter her body through her stomach and ascend to her chest, where they inflate two balloons. These balloons act as surrogate chambers, enabling the efficient circulation of blood.
Unmasking Cardiomyopathy: Understanding Selwa's Underlying Condition
Medical experts who examined Selwa's natural heart identified her condition as cardiomyopathy—a term that encompasses various disorders affecting the heart muscle. The exact cause of Selwa's cardiomyopathy may differ, but its impact on her health necessitated the drastic intervention of an artificial heart.
Surgical Pioneers: Dr. Diana Garcia Saez and Andre Simon's Impact
The artificial heart that now beats within Selwa's chest was crafted by an American company. The intricate and groundbreaking device carries a hefty price tag of £86,000 (equivalent to approximately Rs 88.72 lakh). This remarkable creation, coupled with the surgical expertise of Dr. Diana Garcia Saez and the assistance of Andre Simon, Harefield's esteemed head of transplantation surgery, has granted Selwa a newfound lease on life.
A Symbol of Courage: Selwa's Inspiring Tale of Triumph
Selwa Hussain's remarkable story serves as a testament to the remarkable advancements in medical technology and the resilience of the human spirit. Despite the physical weight she carries, Selwa continues to embrace life with unwavering determination and a heart—albeit artificial—that beats with unyielding strength. Her journey offers hope to others facing similar challenges and inspires awe in the face of adversity.