The inaugural Emirates Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Congress was successfully held from May 2nd to 3rd, 2025, in Dubai, UAE. Under the leadership of Congress Chair Dr. Arif Al Mulla, this landmark event established a vital multidisciplinary forum, uniting pulmonologists, cardiologists, rheumatologists, and surgeons to refine diagnostic pathways and advance collaborative care strategies for this complex condition.
Day One laid a comprehensive foundation for understanding the disease spectrum. The opening session, moderated by Prof. Ashraf Alzaabi and Dr. Arif Al Mulla, provided a crucial overview of PH classification and diagnostic approaches from Prof. Abdullah M. Aldalaan. Experts then delivered focused presentations on the pathophysiology and management of Group 1 (PAH) by Dr. Hassan Al Nuaimat and Group 2 (Left Heart Disease) by Dr. Adhba Al Mubarak. The session concluded with insights into novel therapies from Dr. Hani Sabbour. The evening continued with a deep dive into Groups 3, 4, and 5 PH, featuring diagnostic perspectives from both pulmonology (Dr. Goran Nadir Salih) and cardiology (Dr. Nadya Almatrooshi), emphasizing the essential need for a unified diagnostic approach.
Day Two was inaugurated by an authoritative keynote address from global leader Prof. Nazzareno Galiè, setting a world-class standard for the discussions. The morning was dedicated to precision diagnostics through Session 3, covering echocardiography, right heart catheterization, and advanced cardiac imaging. A concurrent Masterclass detailed ancillary diagnostics, from pulmonary function tests presented by Dr. Goran Nadir Salih to the critical role of nuclear medicine V/Q scans explained by Dr. Haluk Alibazoglu. Interactive parallel workshops on Echo and RHC Assessment, led by Drs. Sabbour and Al Mulla, offered hands-on learning. The congress then addressed PH in Special Populations, with expert talks on ILD-associated PH, rheumatological diseases, Eisenmenger syndrome, and the unique challenges in pediatric cases.
The focus shifted to management in the afternoon, with Session 6 exploring targeted treatments for Group 2 PH, CTEPH, and surgical interventions. Session 7 on Advanced Care covered critical topics from risk stratification and ICU management to the ultimate role of transplantation. The congress culminated in a dynamic Case-Based Session, where complex real-world scenarios across all PH groups were presented and debated by the expert faculty, reinforcing the practical application of the two days' teachings.
By integrating foundational science, advanced diagnostics, specialized population care, and interactive case discussions, the inaugural Emirates PH Congress provided an indispensable platform for cross-specialty collaboration. It powerfully underscored the congress's core mission: to improve patient outcomes through a truly integrated, multidisciplinary model of care for pulmonary hypertension across the Emirates and the wider region.
