Kurdish Cardiologist Wins First Place at International Heart Conference in the UAE

ARK News.. A Kurdish specialist in cardiology and vascular medicine from Duhok has won first place at an international medical conference in the United Arab Emirates after presenting a highly complex clinical case.

Dr. Mohammed Salim Matar, a cardiologist at Azadi Heart Center in Duhok, participated in the annual conference of the Gulf Intervention Society (GIS).

During the event, Dr. Mohammed presented a successful case involving the treatment of a patient suffering from a complete occlusion of the left main coronary artery, one of the most critical and life-threatening cardiac conditions.

According to the information shared, the patient developed an acute myocardial infarction during the catheterization procedure, which involved stent placement and balloon angioplasty. Despite the severe complications and significant risks, Dr. Mohammed managed — through the use of several advanced interventional cardiology techniques — to stabilize the situation and save the patient’s life. The patient is currently in good and stable condition.

The General Directorate of Health in Duhok congratulated Dr. Mohammed Salim, praising his efforts and describing the achievement as a source of pride for the governorate’s healthcare sector and for physicians across Kurdistan.

Azadi Heart Center in Duhok is considered one of the leading cardiac centers in Iraq, performing thousands of cardiac surgeries and catheterization procedures each year and providing services to residents of Duhok and the surrounding areas.

The Gulf Intervention Society Conference is one of the most prominent scientific gatherings in the Middle East and the Gulf region, held annually in the UAE to discuss the latest research and innovations in interventional cardiology, with the participation of leading specialists from around the world.

Treating a completely blocked artery — known as a Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) — is considered one of the most challenging procedures in interventional cardiology, requiring high levels of expertise and advanced techniques.

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