Idlib, Sept. 23 (SANA) A Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) mission has treated around 60 patients and performed a series of advanced cardiac procedures at its cardiology hospital in Idlib, including a high-risk valve replacement using an alternative arterial route.
The procedures were carried out this week under the “Bridges of Recovery – SAMS 15” mission, bringing visiting specialists together with local medical teams, SAMS’ media office told SANA.
The team performed 15 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures, including two transcatheter pulmonary valve replacements (TPVR), as well as five balloon mitral valvuloplasties and four atrial septal defect closures.
Doctors also carried out 25 transesophageal echocardiograms, nine right and left heart catheterizations, an alcohol septal ablation and a procedure to treat aortic coarctation.
Dr. Ibrahim Qassas, an interventional cardiologist with the mission, said around 60 patients from across Syria received treatment, including people requiring advanced cardiac interventions.
Dr. Akram Qawsara, an interventional cardiologist specializing in valvular heart disease, said many of the patients had advanced narrowing of the mitral or aortic valves.
Most of the procedures were minimally invasive, using small catheters inserted through the groin or hand, he said, adding that the missions were also aimed at transferring expertise to local medical teams.
In one of the most complex cases, doctors treated a patient aged around 70 who had previously undergone open-heart surgery and had a history of strokes and multiple vascular stenoses.
Dr. Hassan Khawam, a member of the mission, said the patient could not undergo valve replacement through the femoral artery, prompting doctors to carry out the procedure through the carotid artery with the involvement of a vascular surgeon and a multidisciplinary team. The procedure was successful, he said.
SAMS said the mission is part of efforts to expand access to specialized cardiac care in Syria, strengthen local medical capacity and reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for treatment.
SAMS, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, opened an integrated cardiology center in Idlib in April 2025.
R.D/ABD
