Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is set to introduce beating-heart bypass surgery, a specialised coronary artery bypass procedure, in Kenya's public healthcare system. Eleven patients will undergo the operation, which improves blood supply to the heart when coronary arteries are unable to deliver enough blood. The surgery is performed while the heart continues beating, and blood vessels from other parts of the patient's body are used to create new pathways for blood to reach the heart.
Cardiothoracic Surgeon Simon Nderitu stated that the technique could reduce complications associated with stopping the heart during surgery. The goal of operating on a beating heart is to avoid problems related to stopping the heart. Nderitu spoke to the media on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, as specialists explained the procedure and its potential benefits to patients requiring complex cardiac care.
Cardiovascular Surgeon Niinami Hiroshi explained that the number of grafts required during the operation depends on the condition of each patient. Some patients may require five or six grafts, while one patient treated received four. The internal mammary artery and saphenous vein are among the blood vessels surgeons can use to create alternative routes for blood to reach the heart.
Conventional bypass surgery often involves a heart-lung machine, which takes over the work of circulating blood and supplying oxygen while the heart is stopped. However, Hiroshi noted that using the heart-lung machine may cause a brain stroke. Avoiding the machine can eliminate some of the risks associated with its use.
The procedures have given patients and their families renewed hope as they seek treatment for serious heart conditions. A male relative reported that his wife had been scheduled for valve replacement surgery and had undergone the procedure. Another female relative spoke about a family member who had initially recovered but later suffered a stroke.
Nderitu emphasized that strengthening the ability of local hospitals to perform specialised heart procedures would help patients who have previously lacked access to such services. By building capacity, the hospital will be able to help people who may have suffered for lack of service. Some patients who can afford it have been forced to seek treatment outside the country.
The introduction of beating-heart bypass surgery at KNH marks a significant milestone in Kenya's public healthcare system. The hospital's ability to perform this complex procedure will provide patients with a safer and more effective treatment option. The successful execution of these 11 surgeries will also pave the way for future patients to receive this life-saving treatment.
Key points
- KNH to perform 11 beating-heart bypass surgeries
- The surgery reduces complications associated with stopping the heart
- The procedure provides a safer treatment option for patients with serious heart conditions
