Medcare Hospital Sharjah has performed the UAE’s first advanced Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty (BPA) procedure to treat Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH), a rare condition caused by long-term blood clots in the lungs. The procedure was carried out on a 44-year-old woman who had lived with severe breathlessness for more than 11 years.
The minimally invasive procedure was led by Dr. A.B. Gopalamurugan, Structural Interventional Cardiologist at Medcare Hospital Sharjah. According to the hospital, patients previously had to travel overseas for this treatment.
Patient’s journey
The patient, Mrs. Sara Al Matari, had undergone open-heart surgery and later travelled to the UK in 2017 for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy surgery. However, she continued to experience symptoms because of remaining blockages in her lung arteries.
Reflecting on her experience, she said, “I struggled while walking with my children, carrying out routine activities at home, and even performing my duties at work. I would become breathless with the smallest physical effort and often felt dependent on others to complete everyday tasks. After undergoing major surgery in the UK in 2017, there was some improvement, but I still needed further treatment to address the remaining blockages in my lungs. Until recently, that treatment was not available in the UAE.”
New treatment
Commenting on the introduction of the procedure, Dr. Shanila Laiju, Group Chief Executive Officer of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres, said, “At Medcare, our commitment is to bring advanced, patient centric care closer to home. The successful introduction of Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty at Medcare Hospital Sharjah represents an important milestone forward in expanding treatment options for patients living with complex pulmonary hypertension. This minimally invasive approach not only reduces the need for high-risk surgeries but also significantly improves the quality of life for patients who previously had limited options within the UAE. We are proud of our clinical team for delivering this highly specialized procedure and reinforcing our focus on innovation, safety, and accessible excellence in healthcare across the region”.
Dr. Gopalamurugan said, “Balloon pulmonary angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed using a catheter and a tiny balloon through a small access point in the leg. It allows us to carefully open narrowed or blocked pulmonary arteries that would otherwise be difficult to reach to improve blood flow through the lungs. The procedure requires specialised expertise, advanced imaging, and a multidisciplinary team, which is why it has historically only been available at a limited number of locations worldwide”.
He added, “Despite multiple major interventions over several years, the patient continued to experience severe symptoms because of persistent narrowing in the smaller blood vessels of her lungs. Given her medical history and previous surgeries, another major procedure would have carried a significant risk. This is why we determined that BPA is the most appropriate treatment option”.
Recovery outcome
The hospital said the procedure was completed without complications. Doctors recorded an immediate reduction in lung pressure during the intervention. The patient remained awake throughout the procedure, was able to walk within 24 hours and was discharged shortly afterwards.
Speaking about her recovery, Mrs. Al Matari said, “I am grateful to the entire medical team at Medcare, led by Dr. Gopalamurugan, for the wonderful care. Everything went smoothly, and I felt supported throughout the process. While it will take a few more months to fully assess the long-term improvement, I can already feel a difference. Breathing has become easier, and I feel more optimistic about the future.”
The hospital said the patient’s care also involved Dr. Hani Sabbour, who had managed her condition for nearly a decade, and Dr. Yogeeswari Vellore Satyanarayanan, Specialist Cardiology and Pulmonary Hypertension Unit Lead, who worked with the multidisciplinary team throughout her treatment.
Early diagnosis
Dr. Jishan Madathil, Chief Operating Officer at Medcare Hospitals Sharjah Cluster, said, “The significance of the case extends beyond a single patient outcome. Until now, patients often had to travel abroad to specialised centres in countries such as the UK or the U.S.A. to access this treatment. Having this specialized treatment option available here in UAE means patients can receive advanced care closer to home, and it strengthens our ability to diagnose and manage complex pulmonary hypertension cases within the region.”
He further said, “Patients who continue to experience unexplained breathlessness, particularly after a history of blood clots in the lungs, should seek specialist evaluation. CTEPH is the only potentially curable form of pulmonary hypertension. Early diagnosis and timely referral can dramatically improve outcomes.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
