Pulmonary Hypertension Care at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital

Pulmonary hypertension is the technical term for high blood pressure in the lungs. Blood travels past the lungs on its way round the body to pick up oxygen from the air and drop off waste gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂). When the arteries that get blood to the lungs are narrowed, due to blood clots, inflammation or other causes, the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the lungs – this is what is called pulmonary arterial hypertension. This makes the heart weaker over time, and can also result in a shortage of oxygenated blood for your muscles

In the early stages of pulmonary hypertension, you may not notice any symptoms. As the disease progresses, you will start to experience symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Dizziness or fainting spells
• Increased shortness of breath, initially while you are exercising and eventually even when you are at rest
• Oedema, or swelling of your ankles, legs and eventually your abdomen and neck
• Racing pulse or heart palpitations
• Your lips and skin turning bluish (cyanosis)

Pulmonary hypertension symptoms range from mild to severe. Doctors classify the symptoms into one of four stages:

• Stage 1 — you do not experience any symptoms, even during physical activity.
• Stage 2 — you do not experience symptoms at rest. However, you may experience fatigue, shortness of breath or chest pain when moving around.
• Stage 3 — you may feel some symptoms at rest, but they are not severe enough to make you uncomfortable. The symptoms are more obvious when you engage in physical activity.
• Stage 4 — at this stage, you have severe pulmonary hypertension which disrupts your daily activities. Your symptoms occur both at rest and during physical activity. You also get exhausted very easily.

Pulmonary hypertension is a complex and often misdiagnosed condition. With such a wide range of symptoms, PH can easily be mistaken for other heart or lung issues. However, left untreated, PH leads to severe complications, including right ventricular failure, and has a high annual mortality rate of 20%. Our clinicians use innovative testing procedures, advanced technology, and years of expertise in right heart function to diagnose PH accurately and provide world-leading care,

Key diagnostic procedures at our clinic include:

• Right Heart Catheterisation (RHC): As one of the most experienced practitioners in the region, our cardiologist has performed thousands of right heart catheterisations, a crucial test for measuring pulmonary blood pressure and assessing right heart function.
• Echocardiography: We use comprehensive heart imaging technology to analyse the effectiveness of the right heart and the pulmonary artery, as well as any structural or functional abnormalities.
• Six-Minute Walk Test: This test helps determine the physical capacity and endurance of patients with suspected PH, providing valuable diagnostic insights into the extent of symptoms.
• Advanced Blood Tests and Imaging: Alongside routine diagnostic tools, our clinic employs specialised imaging and blood tests to pinpoint underlying causes of PH, such as blood clots, lung disease or connective tissue disorders.

Our clinic goes beyond traditional treatment to manage various conditions that contribute to or are worsened by pulmonary (arterial) hypertension. These include:

• Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH): Characterised by blood clots in the lungs, CTEPH requires careful management to prevent recurrence and maintain pulmonary health.
• Congenital Heart Disease: Patients with congenital heart abnormalities often face PH as a secondary complication, requiring tailored treatment plans that address both conditions.
• Rheumatologic and Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and other connective tissue diseases often lead to PH. Research shows that up to 27% of scleroderma patients develop PH, which makes specialised care all the more important.
• Liver and Lung Diseases: Lung fibrosis, chronic lung disease, and certain liver conditions can lead to pulmonary artery hypertension, requiring a multidisciplinary approach for effective management.

Our Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital in Abu Dhabi is at the forefront of PH therapy access in the UAE and the region, especially for advanced and severe cases. We offer ultramodern treatments, using a personalised approach to manage symptoms, improve quality of life, and reduce disease progression. From oxygen therapy and targeted pharmacotherapy to complex surgical interventions, our treatments are tailored to meet each patient's unique medical needs.

Advanced Treatment Options include:

• Medical Management: Medications to lower pulmonary blood pressure, prevent clots, and improve heart function are central to PH management. We work closely with patients to fine-tune drug therapy, minimising side effects and maximising therapeutic benefit.
• Surgical Interventions: For select cases, surgical options such as lung or heart-lung transplants may be necessary. Our expert cardiology team use their experience in managing transplant cases to provide patients with comprehensive pre- and post-operative support.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Pulmonary hypertension is not just linked to the lungs, but the whole rest of the body. Our clinic collaborates with specialists in rheumatology, hepatology, and pulmonology to offer holistic care. This approach is particularly vital for patients with multiple comorbidities, ensuring that all aspects of their health are managed cohesively.

Pulmonary high blood pressure is not only a medical challenge but a personal journey that impacts patients and their families. Our clinic actively participates in multiple PH patient support groups, providing resources, education, and emotional support to help patients navigate their condition. We are committed to empowering our patients and their caregivers with knowledge, helping them understand the nature of PH and the steps they can take to manage symptoms effectively.

Dr. Hani Sabbour’s dedication to pulmonary hypertension care and advanced right heart function diagnostics is backed by extensive board certifications, including Advanced Heart Failure, Pulmonary Hypertension, and Transplant Care. Recognised as a leader in PH treatment across the Gulf region, he is a founding Vice President of the Emirates Medical Society Pulmonary Hypertension Working Group.

He also plays a pivotal role in the largest PH registry in the UAE, tracking over 500 patients, which enables an extensive understanding of PH progression in local demographics, enhancing patient outcomes through data-driven treatment pathways.

Our clinic is also deeply integrated into the global PH medical community. As a member of the PVRI GoDeep meta-registry—the largest global PH data repository—Dr. Sabbour collaborates on international research initiatives and guidelines, bringing cutting-edge insights to patients in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Sabbour has contributed extensively to PH research, with publications in international journals and presentations at global conferences. As the senior author of the UAE PH registry publication and a leading figure in the ECS/ETS/ERS UAE PAH Hypertension Guidelines, Dr. Sabbour ensures that our clinic is consistently at the forefront of PH treatment and research, applying the latest scientific discoveries to patient care.

Whether you are experiencing symptoms like unexplained breathlessness, dizziness, or leg swelling, or if you have an underlying condition like scleroderma or sickle cell disease, our pulmonary hypertension clinic in Abu Dhabi offers specialised, compassionate care. Our mission is to provide every patient with the best chance at managing PH effectively and improving their quality of life.