Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi pioneers renal denervation procedure to combat resistant hypertension in UAE

UAE—Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 group, has launched renal denervation, an innovative procedure for treating resistant hypertension.

Resistant hypertension, characterized by persistently high blood pressure that remains uncontrolled despite medications and lifestyle adjustments, represents a substantial health challenge.

This breakthrough comes shortly after the hospital achieved a historic milestone by completing the UAE’s first-ever combined heart and double lung transplant on a 56-year-old Emirati woman who had been battling pulmonary hypertension.

The renal denervation procedure offers a minimally invasive solution by precisely targeting nerves in the kidneys that contribute to high blood pressure.

It is a promising option for patients who have not responded to conventional therapies.

Hypertension, recognized by the World Health Organization as a leading cause of premature deaths worldwide, significantly raises the risk of life-threatening cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, and organ failure.

In addressing this challenge, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s introduction of renal denervation expands its suite of cutting-edge cardiovascular treatments, reinforcing its commitment to pioneering patient care.

Renal denervation uses either radiofrequency (RF) or ultrasound energy to disrupt overactive nerves surrounding the renal arteries, which play a crucial role in regulating blood pressure.

Disrupting these sympathetic nerves can effectively lower blood pressure, offering relief and enhancing long-term cardiovascular health.

Patients undergo the procedure in a single day under local anesthesia, allowing them to return home shortly afterward.

Blood pressure improvements typically become evident within a few months, with a corresponding reduction in the risk of complications like stroke and heart attack.

Dr. George Haber, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, expressed that this new procedure signifies a substantial advancement in cardiovascular care, aligning with the hospital’s mission to leverage technological innovations that are reshaping healthcare.

He emphasized that by introducing treatments such as renal denervation, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is not only improving patient outcomes but also setting new benchmarks for healthcare in the region.

This dedication to innovation, he stated, ensures that patients receive personalized, world-class care that enhances their quality of life.

Adding to this, Dr. Ronney Shantouf, Staff Physician in Cardiovascular Medicine, observed that hypertension is often underdiagnosed, leading to serious health complications when unmanaged.

He noted that the renal denervation procedure offers an essential therapeutic option for patients who do not respond to medical treatments.

He described the technique, explaining that it begins with a slender catheter inserted through a small incision in the groin, which is guided to the renal arteries using fluoroscopic imaging.

Once in place, the catheter’s electrodes deliver controlled heat to disrupt nerve fibers that influence blood pressure.

Dr. Ashraf M. Azzoni, also a Staff Physician in Cardiovascular Medicine, highlighted the significance of this advanced technology, which addresses root causes of high blood pressure that traditional treatments may not manage effectively.

He shared that the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi team takes pride in being at the forefront of medical innovations, providing patients with powerful long-term solutions that enhance traditional treatment approaches.

Dr. Azzoni expressed enthusiasm for renal denervation’s transformative potential, which offers life-changing benefits for those with resistant hypertension.

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s multidisciplinary team, including interventional cardiologists, vascular surgeons, and anesthesia specialists, ensures that the renal denervation procedure is both comprehensive and effective.

By making such advanced treatments accessible in the UAE, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi continues to deliver world-class medical care and set a high standard for patient outcomes within the country and beyond.

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