DUBAI: Aster Hospital Mankhool, ranked #4 in the UAE in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2026 list, has become the first hospital in the Gulf region to successfully use the Cornaris P80/P80-E Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) platform developed by Vivolight during a complex coronary intervention. The next-generation heart imaging technology provides doctors with highly detailed, real-time images from inside the arteries, supporting more precise diagnosis and treatment of complex coronary artery disease.
Unlike conventional angiography, which primarily shows the outline of blood vessels through X-ray images, this advanced OCT system functions like a high-resolution “inside-the-artery camera.” Using near-infrared light, it generates detailed cross-sectional images of artery walls, allowing clinicians to assess the location, composition and severity of blockages, as well as calcium build-up and their impact on blood flow, all within a single imaging procedure.
Dr. Naveed Ahmed, Head of Cardiac Services, Aster Hospitals & Clinics, UAE, said “This technology allows us to see the heart artery in a completely new way. Instead of relying only on traditional images, we can now understand the structure and composition of the blockage, assess the surrounding artery environment in greater detail, and perform functional assessment of the treated vessel. This enables greater precision during complex procedures and helps us make more informed clinical decisions to achieve better patient outcomes.
The first patient treated using this platform was a 52-year-old Dubai resident with type 2 diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol who presented with worsening chest pain and was diagnosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS-NSTEMI) requiring urgent intervention. Further evaluation revealed a complex blockage involving severe narrowing at the junction of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery and its branch, along with additional disease in the distal artery.
Using OCT imaging, we were able to obtain a detailed internal assessment of the artery, guiding precise treatment using a drug-eluting stent, a drug-coated balloon and treatment of the additional distal lesion. The procedure successfully restored normal blood flow. The patient underwent treatment on June 2, 2026, was discharged the following day in stable condition, and has remained symptom-free since the intervention. This level of precision allows us to optimise every stage of treatment and deliver the best possible care for patients.”
Dr. Sherbaz Bichu, CEO – Aster Hospitals & Clinics, UAE, Oman & Bahrain, said “At Aster Hospital, we are proud to be the first in the Gulf to introduce this next-generation heart imaging technology. Our patients deserve access to advanced diagnostic tools that enable our clinical teams to make more precise and informed treatment decisions.
Optical Coherence Tomography allows our cardiac specialists to capture detailed artery scans within seconds, strengthening our ability to manage complex cardiac cases with greater accuracy and improve patient outcomes. This milestone reflects our continued commitment to bringing globally validated innovations into patient care and advancing cardiovascular excellence across the region.”
The platform offers multiple imaging modes to support different clinical needs
Full View Mode scans up to 80 mm of an artery in 2 seconds, High-Definition Mode captures 55 mm in 2.75 seconds, while Super-Fast Mode scans 40 mm in just 1 second, enabling clinicians to obtain critical information quickly without compromising image quality.
The technology is used during Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), a minimally invasive procedure that treats blocked heart arteries using balloons and stents without the need for open-heart surgery.
Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading health challenges in the region, accounting for approximately 40% of deaths in the UAE and 33%–38% across the GCC and continues to be a major cause of chronic disease-related mortality.
The Cornaris P80/P80-E is among the advanced intravascular imaging platforms globally that combines multiple diagnostic capabilities into a single system. It is currently used in more than 300 hospitals in China and has expanded to international markets including the United States, where it has received regulatory clearance, as well as Indonesia, Chile, Armenia, Hong Kong and Macao.
Clinical research on OCT-guided coronary interventions has demonstrated improved outcomes compared with conventional angiography-guided procedures, with published studies reporting reductions in cardiac mortality of 39%–46% and decreases in stent-related complications of 48%–64%, highlighting the potential value of more precise imaging in complex coronary procedures.
This milestone reinforces Aster Hospital Mankhool’s commitment to advancing cardiovascular care through innovative technologies that improve diagnostic precision, procedural safety, and patient outcomes. In doing so, Aster stands firmly behind the UAE’s ambition to become the world’s most preferred destination for healthcare, delivering globally benchmarked, future-ready medical excellence right here at home.