A team of doctors successfully performed a pioneering procedure, the first of its kind in the Middle East, treating a patient suffering from a dangerous type B aortic dissection using a subclavian stent technique with minimal surgical intervention. This avoided major open-chest surgery and accelerated the patient’s recovery.

The procedure was led by Dr. Hossam Younis, Head of the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, who repaired the tear and treated the dangerous swelling in a major artery without the need for open chest surgery, thanks to advanced technology that significantly reduces risks associated with traditional surgery, including strokes and nerve damage.

The subclavian stent technique is distinguished by its ability to maintain normal blood flow to the brain and arm, greatly reducing the risk of strokes or spinal cord injuries linked to open surgeries on the subclavian artery. Its customizable design according to the patient’s anatomy enhances sealing, reduces the need for repeat procedures, and helps speed recovery and early mobility.

Dr. George Pascal Heber, CEO of the hospital, confirmed that the success of the first subclavian stent implantation in the Middle East, especially in an emergency case, reflects Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s readiness to provide the best complex cardiac care. It strengthens its position as a distinguished and accredited center for adult heart surgery and its leadership in performing advanced minimally invasive procedures to improve outcomes and shorten recovery times.

Type B aortic dissections account for about 30 to 40% of all aortic dissections, affecting three to four people per 100,000 annually. Mortality rates in untreated complex cases range between 25 and 30%. Traditional procedures usually require coverage of the left subclavian artery, exposing about 10% of patients to the risk of strokes or spinal cord injuries if bypass surgery is not performed. The branched design of the new subclavian stent helps avoid these risks, achieving success rates above 95% and reducing 30-day mortality rates to between 2 and 3%.