Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi introduces novel stroke treatment

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has once again raised the bar for advanced care in the region. The hospital has performed the Middle East and North Africa's first procedure using the Artisse Intrasaccular Flow Modulator — a next-generation implant designed to treat wide-necked brain aneurysms. Already designated by the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi as a Centre of Excellence for stroke, the hospital's latest milestone shows how quickly the emirate is cementing its reputation as a hub for medical innovation.

As Fayeza Al Yafie, Executive Director of Healthcare Quality at the Department of Health - Abu Dhabi, put it: "This milestone reflects the emirate's commitment to innovation and advanced patient care."

How does it work?

The procedure is about precision, not big incisions. Doctors insert a catheter through a blood vessel, guiding it delicately to the aneurysm. Once in place, they deploy the Artisse device — a fine mesh that plugs the aneurysm from the inside.

Think of it like patching a bulge in a hose before it bursts. The device seals the weak spot, preventing rupture and dramatically cutting the risk of stroke.

• Minimally invasive: no open surgery required.
• Mesh implant: redirects blood flow, allowing the vessel to heal naturally.
• Safer outcomes: reduces the risk of complications tied to traditional methods.

The first patient treated at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi had successful aneurysm closure confirmed after just three months. Proof, in other words, that this isn't just a shiny new tool — it works.

Why does it matter?

Wide-necked aneurysms are notoriously tricky. They've long forced surgeons to choose between risky open surgery and less effective interventions. With this implant, those odds shift. Patients benefit from shorter recovery times, fewer complications, and a much lower risk of rupture down the line.

As Dr. Khalil Zahra, Staff Physician in Neurosurgery, noted: "This new approach enhances treatment for complex aneurysms while reducing the need for invasive surgery." That means fewer patients facing the long, painful recovery of open brain surgery — and more families spared the devastating impact of stroke.

For the wider health system, the adoption of this technology signals something bigger: the UAE is no longer just adopting global best practice — it's setting it.

The context

This breakthrough isn't happening in a vacuum. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has been steadily building its reputation for cutting-edge care. Since launching the UAE's first multi-organ transplant programme in 2017, the hospital has become a referral point for the most complex cases across the region.

The adoption of the Artisse implant is the next logical step in that journey. It not only strengthens the hospital's leadership in neurology but also underscores Abu Dhabi's strategy of investing in advanced healthcare solutions that keep patients at home rather than sending them abroad.

In short: this isn't just about one procedure, or one patient. It's about the region taking control of its medical future — with innovation as its calling card.