Chief Cardiovascular Perfusionist at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, Yakeen Harilall will graduate with his Doctorate in Clinical Technology from the Durban University of Technology’s Faculty of Health Sciences on 8 September 2011…
Chief Cardiovascular Perfusionist at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, Yakeen Harilall will graduate with his Doctorate in Clinical Technology from the Durban University of Technology’s Faculty of Health Sciences on 8 September 2011.
The 33-year-old Reservoir Hills resident’s ground breaking research titled, The Effect of Optimizing Cerebral Tissue Oxygen Saturation on Markers of Neurological Injury During Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery was promoted by Professor Jamilla Adam and endorsed by head of the College of Cardiothoracic Surgery of South Africa and Chief Cardiothoracic surgeon at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital, Professor Anu Reddi.
Harilall said the research, which has been assessed and approved by international examiners, is expected to have a phenomenal impact on the practice of cardiopulmonary bypass during cardiac surgery.
He said: “Cardiac journals have vastly documented the great risk of cognitive deficits such as memory loss, dementia and delirium including major stroke in postoperative cardiac patients caused by insufficient oxygen supply. The implementation of the treatment protocol that I have formulated will give practitioners a guide on how to deal with cerebral desaturation which is lower levels of oxygen saturation in the brain. This will ultimately prevent adverse neurological effects experienced from the lack of oxygen to the brain.”
Harilall’s research highlights the role of cardiovascular perfusionists’ in cardiac surgery as well as the technological advancements in medical science. The study focuses on the role of a clinician in monitoring the patient’s condition and effecting the necessary changes according to the protocol formulated to counteract a drop in brain oxygen saturation.
He said the prevalence of patients experiencing neurological problems after a successful cardiac procedure has been discussed widely at various international and national congresses. Harilall said: “Despite ongoing research no preventative measures have managed to counteract these problems. As a South African researcher, this study places us at the forefront of groundbreaking research which is likely to be implemented in the medical sector worldwide.”
In order to conduct the study, specialised equipment and tests developed in Germany and America were used. Forty patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass graft surgery were recruited and current perfusion practice will be optimised to provide ongoing neurological surveillance in order to improve the quality of life of patients post cardiac surgery. The study will have a positive impact on third world countries where medical resources are restrained, as it reduces the amount of resources used on cardiac patients for postoperative hospital stay, neurological tests and treatment.
Harilall has previously published in the international peer reviewed journal, Perfusion and intends on having his findings published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia and presented at the next annual European Association of Cardio Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) congress. In 2009 he completed his master’s qualification cum laude and subsequently received the university’s Best Researcher award in 2010. He also lectures postgraduate students at the university’s Clinical Technology Department.
-By Karishma Ganpath
