Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, heart failure and pulmonary hypertension are common diseases in Syria and have been under diagnosed and untreated for long time due to limited medical resources. As a member of Syrian American medical society (SAMS) , we will have daily clinic where I help diagnose and manage those patients. I am also part of the Structural Heart team (imaging expert) who is planning multiple procedures during this mission to treat ASD and mitral/aortic valvular disease.
Following 14 years conflict and civil war, Syria still faces humanitarian crisis with million people need medical aid and care along with acute shortages of medicine, equipment and medical staff.
Plan to take care of many patients through cardiology clinic and planned cardiac procedures.
Medical education for cardiology fellows and physicians will be important part during this mission along with helping to organize the newly established cardiac ICU unit there.
I had the privilege of participating in a medical mission to Syria in April 2026 with the Syrian American Medical Society. During the mission, we operated a very busy cardiology clinic, caring for many patients daily with a wide spectrum of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Our team performed advanced cardiac procedures and imaging, including transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, cardioversion, and TAVR. One of the most rewarding milestones of the mission was helping perform the first two MitraClip procedures ever done in that area.
The experience was both professionally fulfilling and deeply humbling, highlighting the impact of collaborative, mission-driven cardiovascular care in underserved communities.
