21 January 2015, Dubai, UAE – Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals (RB&HH), the UK’s largest specialist heart and lung centre, is set to showcase its pioneering artificial heart replacement surgery at the Arab Health conference next Monday (26 January).

The new generation ventricular assist device (VAD) procedure – also known as ‘an artificial heart’ – involves the insertion of  a mechanical pump in the left or right heart chamber in order to support heart function in people with Cardiovascular disease (CVD) or have suffered heart failure. The device takes blood from a lower chamber of the heart and helps pump it to the body, just as a healthy heart would.

RB&HH currently operates the largest VAD centre in the UK, and many of its patients are demonstrating the highest rate of myocardial recovery in the world.

The highly complex procedure will be explained and demonstrated by Dr Andre Simon, one of Europe’s top heart surgeons, on the first day of the conference.

CVD is an increasingly serious issue in the Middle East. According to the World Health Organisation, diseases of the heart and blood vessels are responsible for as many as 45 per cent of all deaths in the region.

“CVD is the biggest killer in the Middle East and patients from the region are looking for the best healthcare available,” commented Andre Simon, Director of Heart and Lung Transplantation and VAD, RB&HH. “This revolutionary procedure has already provided a much-needed solution for thousands of patients around the world and we look forward to bringing it to the Middle East at this year’s Arab Health conference.

“As well as delivering a pioneering showcase, this live demonstration will provide a unique insight into this complex treatment. Thousands of patients around the world are choosing it as an alternative to a heart transplant, whilst others receive VADs while they wait for a transplant. I am proud to say that today RB&HH has the largest population of patients ‘bridged’ to transplant with an artificial heart in the UK.”

The demonstrations will be held from 11.30am until 1pm and from 2pm to 3.30pm on Monday, 26 January, at the Association of British Healthcare Industries stand (stand number Z1D30, UK Pavillion, Zabeel Hall). The morning session will be attended by a number of high profile international medical professionals including Lord Ajay Kumar Kakkar, an advisor to the UAE Ministry of Health and an internationally renowned surgeon.

RB&HH, which comprises two specialist hospitals – Royal Brompton and Harefield –is renowned for its expertise, standards of care and research breakthroughs. It works closely with hospitals, specialist medical centres and other health providers across the Middle East to promote clinical excellence and exchange of international expertise. As one of the largest specialist heart and lung centres in Europe, RB&HH treat patients from across the world.

Care at RB&HH is provided in comfortable surroundings in private wings within the main hospital buildings, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hospital’s dedicated concierge services and International Liaison Officers provide practical support to overseas patients and their families, paying particular attention to their cultural, religious and language needs.