Medcare Hospital Sharjah has successfully performed the UAE’s first Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty, a minimally invasive treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. The breakthrough procedure restored blood flow in a patient with a rare lung condition, reducing the need to travel abroad for advanced care.
Sharjah: A major milestone in the UAE’s healthcare sector has been achieved after Medcare Hospital Sharjah successfully carried out the country’s first Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty (BPA), an advanced minimally invasive procedure used to treat Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH). The innovative treatment offers fresh hope to patients living with a rare but potentially life-threatening form of pulmonary hypertension caused by long-standing blood clots in the lungs.
The landmark procedure was performed on a 44-year-old woman who had spent more than 11 years battling severe breathlessness despite undergoing multiple major treatments, including open-heart surgery and pulmonary thromboendarterectomy in the United Kingdom.
What is Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty?
Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty is a catheter-based procedure designed to improve blood flow by opening narrowed or blocked pulmonary arteries using a tiny balloon inserted through a small puncture in the leg. Unlike open surgery, the patient remains awake throughout the treatment, and recovery is significantly faster.
According to Dr A.B. Gopalamurugan, Structural Interventional Cardiologist at Medcare Hospital Sharjah, the procedure requires specialised expertise, advanced imaging technology and a multidisciplinary medical team. Until now, this treatment had only been available at a limited number of specialised centres worldwide, forcing many UAE patients to travel overseas.
Why was this procedure needed?
The patient had continued to experience debilitating symptoms despite previous surgeries because smaller blood vessels in her lungs remained blocked. Another major operation carried significant risks, making Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty the safest and most effective treatment option.
Doctors confirmed an immediate reduction in pressure within the lung arteries during the procedure, indicating successful restoration of blood flow. The patient was able to walk within 24 hours and was discharged shortly afterwards without complications.
How could this benefit patients in the UAE?
According to Dr Shanila Laiju, Group Chief Executive Officer of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres, introducing Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty locally expands treatment options for patients with complex pulmonary hypertension while reducing the need to seek specialised care abroad.
The patient’s treatment was supported by a multidisciplinary team, including Dr Hani Sabbour, who had managed her condition for nearly a decade, and Dr Yogeeswari Vellore Satyanarayanan, Specialist Cardiology and Pulmonary Hypertension Unit Lead. Their coordinated approach ensured timely diagnosis, treatment planning and follow-up care.
Why is early diagnosis important?
Healthcare experts say pulmonary hypertension is often mistaken for more common respiratory or heart conditions because persistent breathlessness is its most noticeable symptom. Patients with a history of blood clots who continue to experience unexplained shortness of breath are encouraged to seek specialist evaluation.
Dr Jishan Madathil, Chief Operating Officer of Medcare Hospitals Sharjah Cluster, noted that CTEPH is the only potentially curable form of pulmonary hypertension when diagnosed and treated appropriately.
For the patient, the procedure has already led to meaningful improvements in breathing, mobility and overall quality of life. More importantly, the successful introduction of Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty marks a significant advance for specialised cardiovascular care in the UAE, allowing patients with complex pulmonary hypertension to access world-class treatment closer to home.
