Abu dhabi: Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), a subsidiary of PureHealth, has successfully completed over 400 catheter and device-based cardiac interventions in the year 2025, marking a significant milestone in cardiovascular care. This notable achievement includes 100 procedures specifically aimed at treating atrial fibrillation (AFib), a prevalent long-term heart rhythm disorder.
According to Emirates News Agency, atrial fibrillation is a condition that causes the heart to beat quickly and irregularly, potentially increasing the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other serious complications if not properly managed. At SSMC, these cases were addressed using pulse field ablation, a cutting-edge technique that employs controlled electrical energy to correct faulty heart signals while minimizing the impact on surrounding tissues.
Under the leadership of Dr. Omar AlFalasi, Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, SSMC's Electrophysiology programme provides comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic care for a broad spectrum of cardiac electrical abnormalities. This program is bolstered by advanced mapping, imaging-integrated navigation, and a multidisciplinary team of clinical experts.
The electrophysiology service at SSMC benefits from collaboration across various cardiology specialties, as well as imaging, anesthesia, specialized EP nursing, and a dedicated EP laboratory equipped with the latest technology. By integrating pulse field ablation with three-dimensional cardiac mapping, the medical center enhances procedural safety, precision, and efficiency, ultimately reducing procedure time and radiation exposure for both patients and clinical teams.
"Our commitment to excellence drives us to expand access to highly specialized care that meets the evolving needs of our community," stated Dr. Abdulqader Almessabi, Chief Medical Officer at SSMC. "The continued growth in electrophysiology volumes, especially in atrial fibrillation ablation, highlights not only the clinical capabilities we have built but also our ambition to position the UAE among global leaders in complex cardiovascular care."
Dr. Yousef Alattar, Consultant and Chair of the Cardiology Division at SSMC, added, "Performing more than 400 catheter and device-based cardiac interventions, including nearly 100 atrial fibrillation ablation procedures last year, is a testament to the dedication, skill, and collaborative spirit of our cardiology and electrophysiology teams. Atrial fibrillation ablation is one of the most complex interventional cardiac procedures, and achieving this volume demonstrates both the readiness of our service and the trust placed in us by patients."