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Sheep SAVED after heart surgery in UAE

Abu Dhabi - The one-day-old sheep had its heart over the chest wall making breathing difficult.

Doctors at Al Khatam Veterinary Clinic have successfully placed the heart of a newborn sheep inside the chest through a rare surgery.
Thamer Al Qasemi, spokesperson for the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) - which operated the veterinary clinic - said the one-day-old sheep had its heart over the chest wall near the neck making breathing difficult. This condition is medically called ectopic heart. "The doctors found no history of infection or exposure to radiation during the antenatal period.
"According to veterinary doctors, ectopia cordis (EC) is a congenital defect of animals in which the heart is located outside the body or abnormally in the cervical region, pectoral region, or abdomen.
"Other defects are often associated with EC including malformations of the great vessels, neck, ribs and sternebrae. The most common presentation of ectopia cordis is for the heart to be contained within the pericardium under the muscles in the ventral cervical region with a double apex facing craniodorsally. The ligaments of the pericardium are often attached to the mandibles and parotid fascia cranially, and to the first rib or manubrium caudally" Al Qasemi added.
- reporters@khaleejtimes.com