Zulekha Hospital :: Press Releases

Dr. Shawl, a “world-renowned Interventional Cardiologist, along with his US-based team is developing a “State of the Art” Heart Center here at Zulekha Hospital. In addition, he will, in conjunction with Rashid Hospital, be jointly involved in many innovative device research programs. Dr. Shawl is presently Clinical Professor of Medicine and Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Medicine at George Washington University Hospital School of Medicine in Washington D.C., USA as well as Director of Interventional Cardiology, at Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, MD, USA. From April 2, 2007 through April 5, 2007 he will again be performing procedures of many innovative techniques which will be the first of their kind in this region.
In this visit he will also perform new non-surgical methods of closing birth defects. A case was done on the morning of April 2nd by Dr. Shawl and his US based team at the upcoming SCIRC @ Zulekha hospital at 9 a.m., one of the first of its kind in Dubai on a young Diabetic patient who suffered a massive heart attack few weeks back for which he received emergency angioplasty for his six blockages by Dr. Shawl. He was so sick that Dr. Shawl had to cancel his flight twice, to be on his bed side and had to be managed by Dr. Shawl’s team at the Zulekha Hospital, under his direction while in States and was able to be discharged few days later. He is now left with a very weak heart muscle, thus prone to sudden death. In order to reduce the risk of sudden death he will receive a special device called Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD), similar to the one placed on Mr. Dick Cheney, Vice President of the United States. Interestingly enough this patient will get the similar device implanted by the same physician who implanted this on Mr. Cheney.

One of Dr. Shawl’s other patient will undergo treatment at no extra charge for his critical multi-vessel heart disease including possible insertion of an AIDC at a later date through the generosity of the “Dr. Fayaz Shawl Philanthropic Foundation, Inc.” This device is used to treat heart rhythms that are abnormally fast and life threatening. They are often used in patients who are at risk for Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD).

Cardiologists from the UAE will attend Synapse CME programme in the evening to meet some of Dr. Shawl’s US-based medical team and hear a presentation on some of these innovative procedures that will be done. There will be great dialogue regarding the specialty of cardiology, demonstrating ways of opening blocked arteries in the heart, legs, kidneys and arteries in the neck that go to the brain without surgery. This type of procedure, called angioplasty can be done to treat or prevent heart attacks, decrease pain in the legs, improve blood pressure and even prevent serious strokes. These procedures are done with local anesthesia and without any cuts. A patient usually can go home the next day and start normal activity in just a few days. In addition, there will be a discussion regarding the role of special pacemakers in patients with heart failure and use of internal defibrillators for the prevention of Sudden Death after a major heart attack.

Having performed more than 18,000 such interventional procedures, Dr. Shawl is recognized as having performed more procedures as a single operator than any other interventionalist in the world. Dr. Shawl and his colleagues, all of whom have extensive experience, will give suggestions for ways to not only treat these block arteries, but also how to prevent serious complications like death, kidney failure, stroke, heart attack etc. from happening. This Synapse CME will also address issues regarding controversies like stent thrombosis (blood clotting within the newly designed drug-eluting stents), and use of important blood thinners after implantation of such stents.

There will be a presentation of a technique using special technology that he helped develop for the very high risk heart patients who cannot have open heart surgery. This life saving technique, called Cardiopulmonary Support and named the Shawl Technique in his honour, allows physicians to open arteries in patients who would most likely die from their disease or from surgery as well as prevent death in case of complications. Finally, Dr. Shawl will speak on the importance of diet, exercise and healthy lifestyle in reducing one’s risk of developing serious cardiovascular disease in the evening at the Rashid Hospital Auditorium.

Dr. Fayaz Shawl is not only acknowledged and recognized by his own peers but mention of his scientific accomplishments and achievements are extensively found in books, magazines, testimonies, and newspaper as well as the electronic media all over the world. Dr. Shawl has authored over 150 leading articles, abstracts, editorials and book chapters. He has also published a book entitled Supported Complex and High-Risk Coronary Angioplasty. Dr. Shawl is a member of the renowned International Gruentzig Society and has been recognized as one of the world’s most talented Interventionists. Numerous awards and citations abound in recognition of his achievements.

He has brought over from under-developed countries young doctors to train in his life-altering procedures and then sent them back to serve their own brethren. Following through at a later date, Dr. Shawl visits their country to ensure that his teaching is followed precisely as he had taught. In addition, he has traveled frequently to villages in most parts of India, Pakistan and other under developed countries since 1988 to teach and treat. He has helped and designed tools of his trade with and for manufacturers often without monetary compensation or royalties.

Dr. Fayaz Shawl truly personifies a compassionate humanitarian who loves his work, but it cannot be classified as work since he is so energized from the pleasure he receives in return from his patients in helping them through their health concerns. He is a strong proponent of the old adage “The more you give, the more you will receive in return”.

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