Media Release

Dubai, Apr 1: Zulekha Hospital Dubai, became one of the first private hospitals in the whole of UAE that has done coronary angioplasty with an innovative procedure with bioresorbable scaffold  to heal blockage of coronary arteries in the heart which means that the scaffold disappears completely over 2 years time.  

Dr Fekry El Deeb, senior consultant and head in interventional cardiology, at Zulekha Hospital, Dubai, performed this first ever insertion of the Absorb scaffold device on a patient at Zulekha Hospital.

“The procedure is similar to the existing technique that places a ‘stent’ into a diseased artery, but with one crucial difference. When the scaffold begins to dissolve, the vessel is no longer restricted and may ultimately have the ability to move, flex and pulsate similar to an untreated vessel,” he said.

“Whereas the stent is a permanent fixture that remains in the blood vessel, making the vessel similar to a cage, the scaffold progressively dissolves over a period of two years, leaving the artery widened but with no trace of the device left,” elaborated Dr Fekry.

This new generation scaffold is a new revolution in the treatment of coronary artery disease giving hopes for better treatment of ¬coronary artery narrowing and preventing this narrowing from reaching the level of causing heart attacks. 

The term ‘Fourth Revolution’ that has been applied to the Absorb scaffold procedure follows its recognition as a groundbreaking form of treatment for coronary artery disease. The Absorb bioresorbable scaffold offers numerous benefits over metal stents, so it can be considered as a whole new treatment paradigm in its own right.

The Absorb procedure is particularly beneficial for younger patients, as there is the option for further forms of treatment in the future - something that the insertion of a metal stent precludes.” He said.

The patient was a young gentleman in his 40’s who suffered from cardiac problems for the last three years. His main artery of the heart was totally occluded and he had significant chest pain on exertion limiting his activities.  After the artery was re-opened and the blood flow was restored in the vessel the new scaffold was deployed successfully making the coronary artery vessel looking completely normal with the artery fully open with excellent flow.

The patient was able to mobilized 2 hours after the procedure with disappearance of his symptoms. He walked for the first time for long distances within the premises of the hospital without any complaints. He went home and resumed his normal activity.

“We are hoping to treat more patients especially young ones with this type of stent which is considered the state of the art currently .We also wish that the price of this stent will come down to a reasonable level that it can be affordable by many patients and hoping that the insurance companies will accept covering this type of stent for their patients particularly the young ones with significant coronary artery disease “he added.

It is worth notifying that Zulekha Hospital in Dubai that is providing 24/7 coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty and stenting for patients with acute heart problems even after working hours or in the weekends offering patients the highest international standard of cardiac care day or night.