Iranian Hajj official saved by Saudi doctors after heart attack

The head of Iran's medical mission to the pilgrimage left King Abdullah Medical City after recovering

The Ministry of Health stated that the medical staff at the Heart Center in King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah successfully managed to save the life of Mohammad Reza Gholamreza Refatiani, the head of the Iranian medical mission during the Hajj season after he suffered a heart attack. SPAShow less

Doctors in Makkah have saved an Iranian medical official who had a heart attack while performing Hajj rituals.

The Saudi Ministry of Health said staff at King Abdullah Medical City on Sunday treated Mohammad Reza Gholamreza Refatiani, 60, who is the head of the Iranian medical mission that accompanied the country’s Hajj delegation this year.

Mr Refatiani was first taken to Ajyad Hospital, complaining of chest pains. He was then taken to King Abdullah Medical City where doctors performed a first catheterisation procedure.

This opened the posterior left coronary artery, which had been widened and stented, according to the ministry.

"After doctors noticed that Mr Refatiani’s pain persisted, a second catheterisation operation was performed to expand the left anterior coronary, remove the stenosis he suffers, and place a stent using the latest advanced technology represented by video technology for coronary arteries,” the ministry said.

Mr Refatiani left the hospital after his condition improved and thanked the Saudi medical staff who supervised his treatment.

Dr Mohammed Al Ateen, a consultant cardiologist who attended to the case, pointed to the effectiveness of the emergency system in place to serve pilgrims, which enables the quick transfer of people to hospital after the appearance of symptoms of a severe heart attack.

Pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba in Makkah. AP

Hajj pilgrims at the Grand Mosque. AP

Muslims take part in Hajj rituals at the Kaaba in Makkah. AP

Reporters fly over the Grand Mosque. AP

Hundreds of buses wait to carry pilgrims. AP

A satellite image shows pilgrims circumambulating the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque. SPA

Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA

Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA

Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA

Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA

Pilgrims walk to cast stones at a pillar in the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo

Pilgrims walk before casting their stones. Reuters

Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters

Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters

Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters

Pilgrims walk to cast their stones. Reuters

Hajj pilgrims collect pebbles for the stoning of the devil ritual in Muzdalifa, Saudi Arabia. EPA

Pilgrims collect pebbles. EPA

Pilgrims cast stones. AP

Pilgrims cast stones. AP

Pilgrims gather atop Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

Pilgrims pray as they gather at Mount Arafat. EPA

Saudi Arabia this year is allowing one million Muslims, including some 850,000 from abroad, to make the annual Hajj pilgrimage for the first time in two years. EPA

A Saudi police helicopter patrols over Namira Mosque in Arafat. AP Photo

Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat. Reuters

Pilgrims arrive on the plains of Mount Arafat. EPA

Pilgrims climb Gebel Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) where the Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon, as people congregate on the plains of Arafat. EPA

Pilgrims gather atop Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

A Muslim woman prays atop Mount Arafat. AFP

Muslim pilgrims touch the pillar atop Mount Arafat. AFP

Pilgrims gather to pray atop Mount Arafat. AFP

Pilgrims walk towards the Namirah mosque near Mount Arafat. AFP

Muslim pilgrims pray on the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy. AP Photo

Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters

Pilgrims pray on the Mountain of Mercy. AP

Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters

Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters

Hajj pilgrims head to Mina for the day of Tarwiyah as temperatures hit 44ºC. SPA

Pilgrims pray at the Kaaba in Makkah's Grand Mosque on the eve of the first day of Hajj. SPA

Hajj pilgrims head to Mina for the day of Tarwiyah as temperatures hit 44ºC. SPA

King Abdullah Medical City doctors also treated a German pilgrim and a 54-year-old Syrian, who suffered heart attack on July 8.

On July 7, the medical teams from the hospital treated a Nigerian pilgrim in his thirties who was suffering from severe heart palpitations and a sharp drop in blood pressure that led to cardiac arrest in a rare and serious case.

He was resuscitated by emergency teams after his heart stopped beating, and an operation was performed to urgently treat his condition, SPA reported. The successful surgery enabled him to complete his Hajj.

Heart specialists at King Abdullah Medical City were also successful in treating Hussain Qasmi Jalmrazy on July 2, who complained of severe chest pains. Mr Jalmrazy was able to continue performing Hajj rituals after the procedure.

The Ministry of Health said on Sunday that 10 open-heart surgeries and 187 cardiac catheters had been performed by Saudi cardiac doctors since the start of Hajj, and that the ministry was able to provide health services to more than 93,229 pilgrims this Hajj season, through hospitals and health centres in Makkah, Arafat, Muzdalifah, Mina, Jamarat and Taif.