Dr. Feras Bader – “Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant: A Regional Perspective”
Dr. Feras Bader – “Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant: A Regional Perspective”
JCS Conference | 16 October 2025
Keynotes:
1. Global Overview
1. Heart failure (HF) affects about 2 % of adults worldwide, with 1-year mortality 15–30 %.
2. Around one in four people will develop HF during their lifetime.
3. Despite advances, the 5-year survival for all HF types remains only about 20–25 %.
2. Regional & Asian Burden
4. HF prevalence is rising across Asia, mainly due to ischemic and hypertensive heart disease.
5. Top 3 countries (2019): China, Kuwait, and Jordan.
6. The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) continues to show a steady increase in HF cases.
(EMR includes Jordan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, Egypt, etc.)
3. Advanced HF (AHF) Burden
7. AHF = Advanced Heart Failure (NYHA III–IV), representing severe functional limitation.
8. From 1990–2019: global AHF rates fell by 7 %, but increased by 8 % in the EMR.
9. 2019: ~1.23 million EMR patients lived with AHF (60 % male), causing ~180,000 years lived with disability (YLDs).
10. 2021: ~1.12 million AHF cases (+6 % vs 1990) and ~195,000 YLDs (+7 %), meaning more patients live longer but with serious symptoms.
4. Country Trends
11. Highest AHF prevalence: Kuwait, Qatar, UAE.
12. Fastest growth: Oman, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar.
13. Calls for early detection, prevention, and specialized multidisciplinary HF care.
5. Historical Milestones
14. First heart transplant (HTx): Jordan 1985 → Saudi Arabia 1986 → Syria 1989 → Iran 1993 → Tunisia 1993 → Lebanon 1997 → UAE 2017 → Kuwait 2019.
15. MCS (Mechanical Circulatory Support): devices that help the heart pump blood — first used in Saudi Arabia (2003), then Qatar (2008), Lebanon (2009), and UAE (2017).
6. AHF Therapy Availability
16. Only 27 % of EMR countries offer both LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) and heart transplant programs.
17. LVAD use: 55 % as destination therapy, 33 % as bridge-to-transplant, 11 % for recovery.
18. About half of EMR countries refer patients abroad for AHF therapy; around 40 % provide full government coverage.
7. Transplant & Organ Donation
19. Deceased-donor programs remain limited but are slowly expanding.
20. UAE program (2017–2025): 38 heart transplants, mostly Emiratis (68 %), with 1-year survival around 89.5 %.
21. Regional transplant referrals occur between UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Pakistan, and India — reflecting collaboration but also the need for more local programs.
8. Multidisciplinary Care
22. Best outcomes come from team-based HF programs involving cardiologists, surgeons, nurses, and rehab specialists.
23. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s model improved guideline therapy use, reduced hospital stay, and lowered mortality.
9. Future Vision
24. More regional HF and transplant centers are expected.
25. Early referrals and organized evaluation systems are essential to reduce urgent transplants.
26. National donor registries and cross-country coordination will improve organ use and patient outcomes.
10. Key Takeaways
27. HF burden is increasing globally and in the EMR.
28. Costs are rising; stronger regional cooperation is needed.
29. Effective care begins and ends with a multidisciplinary HF team
