Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi: Transforming heart health in the UAE

World Heart Day highlights the remarkable advancements in cardiovascular care in the UAE, particularly at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. The hospital has consistently pushed boundaries in cardiac care since 2015, introducing groundbreaking treatments and procedures to enhance patient outcomes. With a team of multidisciplinary experts, the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute has become a beacon of excellence in adult cardiac surgery, earning the prestigious Centre of Excellence designation in 2023.

The hospital's pioneering heart transplant program has grown exponentially since the UAE's first successful transplant in 2017, now performing over 50 transplants to provide hope for patients with severe cardiac failure. Building upon this success, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has introduced cutting-edge treatments, such as the Thoracic Branch Endoprosthesis and the Coronary Sinus Reducer, to expand options for patients with complex conditions who may not respond to conventional therapies.

Innovation within cardiac surgery has been relentless, with the hospital pioneering robotic surgery, Left Ventricular Assist Device implantation, and complex procedures like simultaneous bypass during liver transplantation. These achievements have solidified Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's role as the leading quaternary referral center for complex cardiac cases in the country.

Beyond the operating room, the hospital has embraced technological advancements, becoming the first Abu Dhabi hospital to use wireless monitoring systems for chronic heart failure patients, and performing the UAE's first cardiac neuroablation procedure. These innovations offer early intervention and minimally invasive alternatives, improving patient recovery and quality of life.

Structural heart care has also made significant strides, with over 800 transcatheter aortic valve replacements and 150 mitral valve repairs performed, alongside 200 patent foramen ovale closure procedures. These minimally invasive techniques offer reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times for patients.

At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the dedication to expanding access to advanced cardiovascular care remains unwavering. As the hospital continues to develop specialized programs and offer increasingly complex treatment options, patients in the UAE now have more advanced care available closer to home, embodying the transformative impact of cardiovascular care progress.