Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery at Age 66: A Daunting Journey Marked by Grit and Confidence
In this edition of Patient Stories, we unpack the journey of Mr. Ferdous Ali Khan, a 66-year-old entrepreneur and the proprietor of The Ferdous Tailors & Fabrics in Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh.
In 2013, Mr. Ferdous underwent balloon angioplasty for coronary artery disease at a hospital in Bangladesh. After the treatment, lingering concerns continued to weigh heavily on his mind.
Shortness of Breath: A Dangerous Sign of Heart Disease
Regaining a good quality of life—being able to exercise and enjoy favorite activities—was something Mr. Ferdous deeply longed for. With this goal in mind, he traveled to Thailand and met Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suwatchai Phonrattanarangsi, a renowned cardiologist. At the time, Dr. Suwatchai was practicing at another hospital in Bangkok before joining the Cardiology Center at MedPark Hospital, where he currently practices.
“Mr. Ferdous has been my patient for many years. He first consulted me in 2013, and since then, I have managed his condition with medication. However, in 2019, he began experiencing shortness of breath. We decided to perform a coronary angiogram to assess his coronary arteries, which revealed that there was no significant change following the previous balloon angioplasty. The left anterior descending artery exhibited only a 20 to 30 percent stenosis; therefore, we continued to manage his condition with medications. From our very first meetings, I had already advised him that although we could stabilize his medical issue with drugs for the time being, there would likely come a time in the future when he would need bypass surgery or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).” The doctor recounted the course of Mr. Ferdous’s past treatment.
In 2025, Mr. Ferdous started experiencing increasing shortness of breath. He returned to Thailand for a follow-up evaluation, where after a coronary angiogram, the doctor recommended coronary artery bypass surgery, in line with Assoc Prof. Dr. Suwatchai’s prognostication.
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Backed by Confidence in the Medical Team
Coronary artery bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), is a treatment for severe multivessel coronary artery disease. In this procedure, the surgeon harvests a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body to create a new pathway for blood flow. This graft is then connected between the aorta and the coronary artery beyond the obstructed segment, effectively bypassing the blockage and restoring adequate blood flow to the heart muscle.
For many heart patients, the mere mention of the word “surgery” invariably evokes feelings of fear and anxiety. However, for Mr. Ferdous, his primary focus was the expertise of the medical team. He wanted the utmost assurance that the procedure would proceed smoothly and safely. With this in mind, he sought out Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suwatchai for further consultation and arranged an appointment at the Cardiology Center of MedPark Hospital.
“When I saw him again at MedPark, I repeated the coronary angiogram, which revealed a marked progression of the stenosis. I invited Dr. Supitchaya, an esteemed colleague from the same team with expertise in coronary artery bypass surgery and with whom I had previously collaborated, to provide care alongside me. We discussed the treatment plan thoroughly with the patient, who exuded considerable trust and confidence in my judgment, reassured that I had chosen the best course of action for his care.”
After Assoc. Prof. Dr. Suwatchai introduced Mr. Ferdous to Dr. Supitchar Vongmanee, a cardiovascular thoracic surgeon; the two doctors collaborated to develop a comprehensive treatment plan and thoroughly explained the surgical procedure, engendering a strong sense of trust and confidence in the medical team.
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Lifesaving Procedure
In this case, Dr. Supitchaya performed CABG to achieve complete revascularization, ensuring the best possible outcome for the patient. This complex surgical procedure requires the expertise of a highly specialized cardiac surgeon.
“This case was slightly more complex than usual due to the site and extent of coronary stenosis. The affected vessels were in challenging locations for bypass. After a thorough discussion with the team, we decided to pursue complete revascularization—grafting at every bypassable site. This case required a minimum of four sites to completely revascularize the myocardium. This approach aims to optimize long-term outcomes, allowing the patient to maintain a high quality of life for 20 years or more.”
Although the procedure is inherently complex, modern surgical technology enables high efficiency and safety, effectively reducing trauma to the coronary arteries and adjacent structures.
“I decided to have the surgery here because traveling back and forth between Bangladesh and Bangkok would be both time-consuming and inconvenient. I have always considered myself an intrepid person, so surgery did not frighten me in the least. I have always believed that when push comes to shove, there is no need to fear. Back in 1985, I had hemorrhoid surgery at Holy Family Hospital. I had heard that bypass surgery could take anywhere from 7 to 8 hours, but Dr. Suwatchai assured me that his surgical team could complete it in just two and a half hours. It was a major procedure, yet everything went far more smoothly than I could have ever imagined. I hardly experienced any pain at all.” Mr. Ferdous shared his recent surgical experience in a disarming manner.
A critical factor contributing to the efficiency and expedited completion of the surgery was the combination of advanced surgical techniques and seamless teamwork. Dr. Supitchar further emphasized that minimizing the time on the heart-lung machine, or cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), significantly reduces myocardial injury and facilitates better postoperative recovery compared to longer bypass duration.
“With advanced surgical techniques and a highly skilled team, the entire procedure was completed in under three hours—from his arrival in the operating theater to transfer to the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU). We successfully performed bypass grafting at four sites using sequential grafting, connecting a single graft to two coronary artery targets. The operation proceeded smoothly with excellent outcomes. The patient was extubated that same evening after surgery. By the following morning, he was able to sit up and order food; by afternoon, he had begun the cardiac rehabilitation program. Throughout his recovery, the patient showed impressive strength and cooperation.”
Regaining the Good Quality of Life You Desire
Witnessing patient happiness and smooth postoperative recovery brings immense satisfaction to the doctor team. Dr. Supitchar shares his advice on self-care following coronary artery bypass surgery:
“He did ask me if he could return to playing tennis and resume his regular exercise routine after the surgery. Considering his steady recovery and the successful surgical outcome as expected, I am confident that he will soon be able to engage in physical activities as before—whether it is fitness workouts, weight training, or even marathon running—with no problems.”
“Dr. Suwatchai and the entire team, especially Dr. Supitchaya, are truly exceptional doctors. I am delighted with the treatment I have received here. Normally, I enjoy playing tennis and doing freehand exercises. Now, nearly one month and eighteen days later, I can walk and move normally, though I may be slightly fatigued as I am still in the recovery phase,” Mr. Ferdous remarked with a beaming smile while leaving parting words for fellow heart patients.
“From my experience, I would like to emphasize that many patients with heart disease are at high risk of developing stroke, which can lead to paralysis, speech difficulties, or facial drooping. If symptoms are detected early and no other viable options exist, they should undergo coronary artery bypass surgery to prevent further complications. If immediate surgery is not feasible, the best course of action is to consult the doctor to plan the procedure when it is appropriate.”
