A Second Heart Attack and Minimally Invasive Bypass: Mr. Sibranus’s Story

“I thought I was healthy. I had regular check-ups. But one day, the heart attack came again.” These words open the story of Mr. Sibranus, who works in Papua. Together with his wife, he shares what it was like to face a second heart attack and to undergo MICS bypass surgery at Heartology.

An Attack Out of Nowhere

It happened while Mr. Sibranus was on leave. His chest felt hot, he was short of breath, and he was sweating heavily. On his way to the bathroom, he collapsed and lost consciousness near the dining table. His wife panicked. Fortunately, a nephew at home quickly booked a ride to take him for treatment.

Mr. Sibranus received first aid at a clinic, then was referred to a regional hospital, where he was treated for about a week. After passing through several health facilities, he was referred to Jakarta for further care.

Getting Answers before Surgery

At Heartology, Mr. Sibranus had a catheter examination to look at the condition of his heart arteries. At that point, he felt blank and resigned to whatever would happen. His biggest fear was whether his body could still handle major surgery such as heart bypass.

His worries began to ease once the doctor explained the option of bypass surgery using the MICS (minimally invasive cardiac surgery) approach. Bypass surgery creates a detour for blood to flow around the problem heart arteries. With the MICS approach, the operation is done through a small incision without splitting the breastbone. “Thank you, all the doctors here gave explanations that were thorough and easy to understand,” he said.

Recovering Step by Step

After surgery, Mr. Sibranus spent about three days in the HCU before returning to a regular ward. Walking practice started with short distances of about 10 to 15 meters. His wife was always by his side and compared that time to guiding a baby learning to walk, even when crossing the street. After going home, he came back regularly to have his dressing changed and his stitches removed. Along the way, he mentioned several doctors who supported him, including Dr. med. dr. Denio A. Ridjab, Sp.JP (K) and dr. Ayu Amalia Utami Putri, Sp.KFR, a rehabilitation medicine specialist.

At the time of filming, Mr. Sibranus had recovered and was walking regularly. His surgical wound was neat and had dried quickly. His message to you is to have your heart checked regularly and not to be afraid of treatment. His wife added a message for those caring for patients: be patient and keep supporting them with prayer. She also reminded her husband: “Don't forget yourself once you're healthy again.”