SHARJAH, UAE – Medcare Hospital Sharjah has successfully performed the UAE’s first Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty (BPA), introducing a minimally invasive treatment for patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH), a rare and potentially life-threatening form of pulmonary hypertension.
The landmark procedure was performed on a 44-year-old woman who had experienced severe breathlessness for more than a decade despite undergoing previous open-heart surgery and pulmonary thromboendarterectomy in the UK. Led by Dr. A.B. Gopalamurugan, Structural Interventional Cardiologist at Medcare Hospital Sharjah, the intervention successfully restored blood flow through the lungs and immediately reduced pulmonary artery pressure.
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Balloon Pulmonary Angioplasty uses a catheter and a small balloon inserted through the leg to open blocked or narrowed pulmonary arteries. The minimally invasive procedure offers an alternative for patients who are not suitable candidates for further surgery, helping improve breathing, mobility, and overall quality of life.
The procedure was completed without complications. The patient remained awake throughout, was able to walk within 24 hours, and was discharged shortly afterward. She reported noticeable improvements in breathing and expressed optimism about her recovery.
Speaking about the case, 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”.
Commenting on the launch of the new 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”.
According to Dr. Jishan Madathil, Chief Operating Officer at Medcare Hospitals Sharjah Cluster, “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.”
The case was managed by a multidisciplinary team, including Dr. Hani Sabbour and Dr. Yogeeswari Vellore Satyanarayanan, highlighting the importance of coordinated specialist care in treating complex pulmonary hypertension.
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Medcare Hospital Sharjah said the milestone strengthens the UAE’s capabilities in managing advanced cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases while improving access to life-saving treatments closer to home.
