Guyana’s first heart valve replacement patient, Janet Yassin died of unknown causes on Sunday, just over three weeks after she had the surgery and was said to have been doing well.
Yassin, who had a metallic valve in place following the procedure at the Caribbean Heart Institute on February 29 was reportedly bleeding in her Gastrointestinal (GI) tract upon admission to hospital shortly before she died.
Stabroek News has learnt that an autopsy report has since revealed Yassin’s valve was in place and functioning well. The report stated that tests carried out on Yassin were inconclusive and did not give a cause of death.
Dr. Gary Stephens, Chief Executive Office of CHI, said yesterday that Yassin’s case was really unfortunate but he called her a “fighter”. Stephens said Yassin was required to use blood thinners because of the metallic valve but noted that the thinners caused her to bleed. Without thinners Yassin’s blood would have clotted resulting in serious complications. This, he said, is a rare medical condition.
Stephens said usually patients with ulcers would suffer from bleeding in the GI tract, Yassin had none. He said there was no question that Yassin had to have the surgery done, adding that it was just a really unfortunate situation.
Yesterday a close relative of Yassin said that the family is grateful to CHI for operating on her and restoring in her some strength. The relative said the death came as a shock but they have accepted it.
“We know she was sick but she was also doing well after the surgery. It came as a shock to us that she has died but there is nothing we or the doctors could have done”, the man stated.
A few days after her surgery was completed Janet Yassin spoke with Stabroek News and had related how good she was feeling. She was full of praise for the CHI team particularly Dr. Stephens and was grateful that she was able to have the surgery done here in Guyana.
Yassin, a stay-at-home mother, choked up a few times during the interview while recalling how uncertain her life was nearly a year ago when it was confirmed that she needed surgery almost immediately if she had any chance of surviving.
Since her prognosis was not good, Yassin said, she spent a lot of time worrying about her health but she became optimistic after realizing that the surgery was accessible locally.
Yassin was one of three patients who had surgery during a three-day period last month. The other two patients had by-pass surgeries. She will be laid to rest today.
