Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – October 22, 2024: Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 group, has successfully performed the UAE’s first-ever combined heart and double lung transplant, marking a significant milestone in advanced medical care. The complex surgery was carried out on a 56-year-old Emirati woman suffering from pulmonary hypertension, a life-threatening condition caused by elevated pressure within the pulmonary artery that disrupts blood flow from the heart to the lungs.
This groundbreaking procedure was made possible with the support of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, reflecting the emirate’s commitment to becoming a leading global healthcare destination through advanced transplant capabilities and world-class facilities.
A History of Innovation and Success
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has established itself as the UAE’s first multi-organ transplant center, having performed over 700 transplants since its inception in 2017, including 47 lung transplants and 23 heart transplants. This recent achievement further underscores the hospital’s ability to provide complex, life-saving care, allowing patients to receive world-class treatment locally rather than seeking care abroad.
The patient’s medical journey began in 2004 when she was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a congenital heart condition. Over the years, untreated ASD led to increasing pressure in her heart, resulting in pulmonary hypertension. After multiple treatments across various hospitals worldwide, she was referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in March 2022 in critical condition, having lost over 30 kilograms.
Multidisciplinary Approach to Complex Care
Dr. Fadi Hamed, Consultant Pulmonologist and Medical Director of the Lung Transplant Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, explained, “The patient was under continuous monitoring and diverse therapeutic strategies but showed no progress. A multidisciplinary team was formed to assess her condition comprehensively.”
The evaluation revealed that a combined heart and double lung transplant was necessary due to the severe enlargement of her heart caused by ongoing pressure.
Dr. Mitesh V. Badiwala, Staff Physician in Cardiothoracic Surgery, emphasized the unique challenge presented by the patient’s condition, stating, “Typically, pulmonary hypertension is treated with a lung transplant. However, this case required a combined approach due to her severely enlarged heart and petite frame.”
Urgency and Precision in Transplantation
By February 2024, the patient’s condition worsened significantly, with severe breathing difficulties and excess water retention, prompting immediate preparations for her transplant. Dr. Nadya Almatrooshi, a Staff Physician in Cardiothoracic Surgery, highlighted the meticulous preparations involved, stating, “Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is among the few hospitals offering multidisciplinary care for complex cases, enabling us to manage her heart pressure effectively until suitable organs became available.”
A comprehensive team of cardiologists, pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, and specialized nursing staff collaborated to ensure a successful outcome. Dr. Usman Ahmad, Department Chair of Thoracic Surgery, noted the critical timing of the organ match: “Had we not found the matched organs in time, she could have lost the opportunity for this life-saving surgery.”
A New Era for Organ Transplantation in Abu Dhabi
Dr. Rashed Obaid Alsuwaidi, Executive Director of the Healthcare Workforce Planning Sector at the DoH, praised Abu Dhabi’s advancements in organ transplantation, stating, “Our exceptional healthcare system and skilled professionals ensure that organ transplantation services adhere to international best practices.”
The transplant surgery itself involved a team of four cardiothoracic surgeons, two anesthesiologists, five specialized nurses, and two perfusion experts, taking over eight hours due to the complexity of the procedure. Following the surgery, the patient was closely monitored in the ICU, receiving comprehensive post-operative care crucial to her recovery.
This successful transplant not only exemplifies Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s commitment to innovative, personalized, and multidisciplinary care but also reinforces the hospital’s role as a leader in the region’s healthcare landscape.
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