48-year-old undergoes first complex heart procedure in UAE

A 48-year-old woman, who suffered from frequent fainting episodes, has regained a better quality of life after undergoing the UAE's first cardiac neuroablation procedure in Abu Dhabi.

The minimally invasive procedure, offered only in a limited number of centres globally to treat heart rhythm disorders, gives patients a minimally invasive alternative to permanent pacemakers. 

The procedure "allows us to precisely target the root cause of abnormal heart rhythm," said Dr Fereidoon Shafiei, Staff Physician, Cardiovascular Medicine Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute.

"In many cases, we can eliminate recurrent fainting episodes and avoid the need for a permanent device, offering patients a safer and more definitive solution."

The procedure focuses on abnormal nerve signals, particularly those associated with overactivity of the vagus nerve, that can trigger sudden drops in heart rate and blood pressure, leading to recurrent loss of consciousness. Through precise modulation of these signals, cardiac neuroablation helps restore stable heart rhythm control in a targeted and minimally invasive way.

It is performed using specialised catheters guided through blood vessels to the heart, supported by advanced mapping technologies that identify and selectively modify the nerve pathways responsible for abnormal heart rate regulation, without the need for open-heart surgery.

Following the procedure, the patient showed early improvement, with a stable heart rhythm and a noticeable improvement in energy levels.

.@CCAD has introduced the first cardiac neuroablation procedure in the UAE, offering a minimally invasive treatment for recurrent fainting without a permanent device, and advancing cardiac care, from managing symptoms to treating underlying causes. pic.twitter.com/0QVg0TToUf

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) May 8, 2026