Coronavirus
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi surgeons perform Mitral valve repair with online support

(WAM) — Surgeons at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the Mubadala network of healthcare assets, have successfully performed a minimally invasive procedure to repair a leaky heart valve in a high-risk patient, collaborating with experts through live steaming technology.
In March, the 67-year-old patient (name withheld) presented to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi with pulmonary edema – an abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs – caused by congestive heart failure. After a complete evaluation of their medical history, the multidisciplinary care team at the hospital concluded that a leaky mitral valve in the heart had to be repaired immediately using a small medical metal clip. The clip would prevent blood flowing backward into the heart, known as mitral valve regurgitation.
Dr. Mahmoud Traina, an interventional cardiologist at the Heart & Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, decided to perform a minimally invasive transcatheter procedure because the patient was not a suitable candidate for standard open-heart surgery due to their comorbidities, including blocked arteries and lung disease.
“As global best practice, surgeons are always accompanied by a technical expert from the company that designs the mitral clips in the operating room. The expert provides technical support during the procedure and helps our prep staff understand any new iterations of the device. The expert’s assistance ensures that we achieve the optimum result for our patient.”
On this occasion, Dr. Traina said that the hospital was unable to host the expert in person due to visitor restrictions given the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We did not want to delay the treatment because of this as the patient’s health would continue to deteriorate without the life-saving procedure. So, we had to innovate with technology,” Dr. Traina added.
The medical team – which included cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, operating room consultants and the nursing team – in collaboration with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s IT department organised an elaborate live streaming set-up to connect with the technical expert in real-time during the operation.
“Along with live streaming, we also had high-definition cameras directed to the procedural area for the technical expert to be able to see a detailed view of the operative field. The team was also relaying primary data, including the ultrasound videos and x-ray images, giving real-time ‘in-the-room’ visualisation of the surgery. This teleproctoring technique was seamless and the first of its kind globally for such a procedure. The patient is now home and their recovery is on track,” Dr. Traina went on to say.
Dr. Traina added that the hospital follows a rigorous protocol, based on international standards, to ensure that patients with surgical emergencies are safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
OER Magazines2 months ago
OER, April 25
-
Alamaliktistaad Magazines2 months ago
Al-Iktisaad, April 25
-
Renewables1 month ago
Jindal Renewables and OQ Alternative Energy Sign Joint Development Agreement to Advance Integrated Renewable Power Projects in Oman
-
Business2 months ago
St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2025 unveils its Business Programme
-
Leaders Speak1 month ago
OERLive SPOTLIGHT: Oman Sustainability Week 2025 and Oman Petroleum & Energy Show
-
Alamaliktistaad Magazines1 month ago
Al-Iktisaad, May 25
-
Banking & Finance2 months ago
How is National Bank of Oman Working Towards Creating a Robust Fintech Ecosystem?
-
OER Magazines4 weeks ago
OER, May 2025