KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 (Bernama) — King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) has successfully carried out the world’s first liver transplant on a patient with a rare genetic blood clotting disorder, capping 22 years of uninterrupted care for the same patient.
The patient, diagnosed with congenital plasminogen deficiency since infancy, had been under the hospital’s care since the first months of life.
The condition, caused by a lack of the plasminogen protein essential for dissolving blood clots, led to dangerous fibrous deposits affecting tissues and organs.
KFSHRC Adult Haematology and Stem Cell Transplant Division Director, Dr Hazzaa Al-Zahrani, who supervised the case, said the decision to proceed with a liver transplant was made after long-term management and careful consideration.
“The success of this procedure represents a turning point and a beacon of hope for patients worldwide facing similar conditions,” he said in a statement.
The patient’s father also expressed gratitude for the recovery, attributing it to the Kingdom’s advanced healthcare capabilities and government support.
The complexity of the case required a multidisciplinary approach that extended beyond medical care to include nursing, nutrition and information technology, alongside haematology and transplant specialists.
The treatment previously relied on regular intravenous doses of plasminogen and eye drops to preserve vision, at an annual cost exceeding six million Saudi riyals, fully covered by the Saudi government. (100 Saudi riyals = RM112.46)
This achievement underscores KFSHRC’s role as a global leader in rare disease management and transformative care, where science and compassion converge to redefine possibilities in medicine.
— BERNAMA
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