Wuxi doctors treat expat's 20-year heart condition with one surgery

Gorgin Rahim poses for a group photo with his doctors and nurses at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University after his successful surgery. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

A professor who had endured two decades of recurring chest tightness and heart palpitations has been successfully treated with radiofrequency ablation surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University in Wuxi.

Gorgin Rahim, 44, an associate professor at JNU's School of Fiber Engineering and Equipment Technology, underwent the procedure on Aug 5. He had been suffering from symptomatic episodes for more than 20 years.

His condition deteriorated sharply about a month ago, leading to an emergency visit to the hospital. There, he was diagnosed with ventricular arrhythmia. Although the initial medication provided some temporary relief, his symptoms returned.

The cardiology team recommended radiofrequency ablation through a trans‑septal puncture. The surgery was performed on Aug 5 and proved successful; Rahim was discharged the following day in stable condition.

"I really feel like this is my home," Rahim said, expressing gratitude to the medical workers. "The doctors and nurses were very caring during my week in the hospital. They always answered my questions patiently and made me feel at ease."

Rahim, who has lived in China for 15 years, said the trust he placed in his medical team was well rewarded.

The hospital has been strengthening its international medical services in recent years, building a specialized network for foreign patients that includes a roster of senior physicians experienced in cross-cultural communication and in treating common and complex conditions.