UAE—Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Mubadala Health, has unveiled an all-encompassing Invasive Microvascular and Coronary Spasm Program in the UAE.
This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize cardiac care by addressing a cardiac disorder that often remains undetected during routine cardiac tests, causing angina (chest pain) due to spasms or inadequate dilation of the heart’s blood-supplying arteries.
The newly launched program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi offers a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating microvascular dysfunction and coronary spasm.
It involves specialized interventional cardiologists and advanced equipment capable of detecting abnormalities not only in the larger coronary arteries but also in the extremely tiny arteries that are invisible to the naked eye.
Standard coronary artery angiograms fail to identify this condition, leading to patients experiencing recurrent chest pain mistakenly attributed to stress or anxiety.
Women, smokers, individuals with diabetes or hypertension, and those with microvascular angina and/or coronary spasm have a higher predisposition to this condition, putting them at increased risk of cardiac events.
Dr. Ronney Shantouf, a Staff Physician in Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, emphasized that this condition, although previously considered rare, is more prevalent than once believed.
Drawing from their experience across the Cleveland Clinic network, it is estimated that a significant number of angina patients may have some form of microvascular disease or spasm.
The complex nature of its symptoms often leads to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis, necessitating specialized cardiologists and advanced technology to identify and treat the condition.
Dr. Ashraf Al Azzoni, another Staff Physician in Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, expressed pride in bringing this sophisticated testing capability to the region.
While some treatments for microvascular dysfunction exist in the UAE, this advanced program offers new capabilities and the latest medical technology to provide specific diagnoses and enhance patients’ quality of life.
Accurate diagnosis is followed by effective treatment options that include medications and lifestyle changes to alleviate symptoms and restore a high quality of life.
The program draws upon various disciplines, including interventional cardiology, women’s cardiology, and cardiovascular imaging. It also leverages the expertise gained from a similar program offered at Cleveland Clinic in the United States.
Dr. Shantouf emphasized the importance of seeking professional help from a specialist if individuals experience unusual and recurring chest pains, especially if they fall into the high-risk categories mentioned.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is a comprehensive medical center that comprises numerous institutes and departments covering a wide range of medical and surgical specialties. With over 50 specialties represented, the facility offers world-class care to patients in the region.
This recent launch follows another significant development at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, namely the opening of the state-of-the-art Fatima bint Mubarak Center, a specialized cancer facility.
Spanning 205,000 square feet, this center provides access to advanced diagnostics and treatment options across 24 clinical departments, catering to various cancer subspecialties.
Modeled after Cleveland Clinic’s renowned Taussig Cancer Center, which ranks as the sixth-best cancer program in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report, the new cancer facility offers an integrated and transformative approach to cancer care in the UAE and the Middle East.
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in the UAE, compelling many patients to seek treatment abroad.
The Fatima bint Mubarak Center aims to eliminate the need for international travel by delivering exceptional care within the region.
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