Abu Dhabi: Hospital launches innovative test for abnormal recurrent chest pain – News

Groundbreaking test evaluates heart disease that causes angina, chest pain caused by poor blood flow to the heart

The Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is offering a groundbreaking test to patients who have been suffering from unexplained chest problems for years. This condition affects people even if their coronary arteries do not show significant blockage on standard angiograms.

The hospital, in partnership with Mubadala Health, has launched a comprehensive invasive microvascular and coronary artery spasm program test – a breakthrough technology. This test evaluates for heart disease that causes angina, chest pain caused by poor blood flow to the heart. In this condition, the arteries supplying blood to the heart either spasm or fail to dilate sufficiently, which may go undetected during routine heart exams.

“While discussion of this condition is not new in the field of cardiology, it is becoming more widely discussed and investigated, so we find that it is not as uncommon as once thought. From our study at the Cleveland Clinic From what we see in the network, it is estimated that a significant number of patients with angina may have some degree of microvascular disease or spasticity,” said Ronney Shantouf, MD, chief physician in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine in the Division of Cardiac, Vascular and Vascular Medicine. Chest Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi.

Photo: Dr. Ronney Shantouf

The highly sophisticated test method requires specialized interventional cardiologists and specialized equipment to screen for abnormalities not only in large coronary arteries, but also in extremely small arteries that cannot be detected by the human eye. Standard coronary angiography would go undetected without sophisticated testing, and such patients end up with recurrent bouts of chest pain that have been wrongly attributed to conditions such as stress and anxiety.

“Because of the nature of its symptoms, it is often missed or underdiagnosed, requiring specialized cardiologists and advanced technology to identify these symptoms. In the past, people may have been told it was a mental illness or a ‘hallucinating’ disease, And would go to a psychiatrist for the cause of unexplained chest pain, only to have specialized testing to find out they had it,” Dr Shantouf noted.

The condition appears to be more prevalent in women. Those who smoked, had diabetes, or high blood pressure were also more likely to develop microvascular angina and/or coronary artery spasm, which makes them more likely to develop heart disease.

Photo: Dr. Ashraf Al Azzoni

“We are proud to bring this sophisticated microvascular dysfunction and coronary spasm testing capability to the region through Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi,” said Dr. Ashraf Al Azzoni, Cardiovascular Medicine Physician, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute.

“While some treatments for microvascular dysfunction currently exist in the UAE, this unique advanced project provides new capabilities and the latest innovations in medical technology to ensure that specific diagnostics are provided to improve the quality of life of patients. Then through effective Treatment options support accurate diagnosis and include medication and lifestyle changes to relieve symptoms and restore a good quality of life.”

A variety of disciplines form part of the program, including interventional cardiology, women’s cardiology, and cardiovascular imaging. The program also draws on expertise from a similar program offered by the Cleveland Clinic in the United States.

Dr. Shantouf added that if someone experiences any unusual and recurring chest pains, they should seek immediate professional help from a specialist, especially if they fall into any of the high-risk categories mentioned above.