In a breakthrough for cardiac care in the UAE, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has introduced the Coronary Sinus Reducer (CSR) procedure to the UAE, offering new hope to patients suffering from refractory angina, a severe form of chronic chest pain.
Refractory angina occurs when patients with coronary artery disease continue to suffer from chest pain despite conventional therapies, including medications, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI, when a small balloon opens the blocked artery, and a stent is placed to keep it open for normal blood flow), or Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG, in which use a healthy vessel from the body to bypass the blockage and restore blood flow to the heart). The condition, while not always immediately life-threatening, can significantly impair quality of life, restrict physical activity, and remains a major challenge for patients.
Led by Dr. Ronney Shantouf and Dr. Ashraf Al Azzoni, Staff Physicians within the Cardiovascular Medicine Department of the hospital’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, the milestone procedure was carried out in collaboration with visiting Professor Tommaso Gori, one of Europe’s foremost experts in CSR implantation.
Dr. Georges-Pascal Haber, Chief Executive Officer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said, “This milestone reinforces Abu Dhabi’s position as a hub for complex cardiovascular care. At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, we are redefining what is possible in medicine, bringing together world leading expertise, pioneering technologies, and innovative therapies. Our unwavering focus on our patients drives us to set new standards of excellence, ensuring that every individual receives world-class, compassionate care and the best possible outcomes, right here in Abu Dhabi”.
Dr. Ronney Shantouf, Staff Physician at the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, stated, “Refractory angina patients often feel they have run out of options, even after multiple stenting procedures or bypass surgery. With the CSR, we now offer a safe, proven, and minimally invasive option that can significantly reduce symptoms and restore quality of life for these patients, who will experience gradual improvement in chest pain symptoms over the coming weeks.”
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the UAE, accounting for nearly 40% of all mortalities. With risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension contributing to early-onset coronary artery disease, the availability of advanced interventions like CSR is vital for the UAE and the wider region.
Dr. Ashraf Al Azzoni, Staff Physician at the Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, added: “The CSR procedure is performed through a minimally invasive catheter approach, typically via the jugular vein, providing a therapeutic option for patients previously considered to have no further options after medications and traditional surgical treatment have been exhausted.”
It also allows Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to continue to expand its portfolio of minimally invasive and life-saving procedures, underscoring its role as a designated Center of Excellence for Adult Cardiac Surgery by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi. With this UAE-first procedure, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi continues to turn possibility into practice, giving patients renewed hope where few options once existe
