Personal Details/Academic Background
Dr. Azan BinBrek graduated from Medical School in Glasgow in 1971. He obtained his DCH degree, also from Glasgow, in 1973 while undergoing University rotational training in General Medicine/Cardiology.
He received his MRCP (UK), FRCP (Edin.), and FRCP (London) diplomas in the following years. In 1976, Dr. BinBrek joined Rashid Hospital in UAE, and since then has made great contributions to the development of the medical sector in Dubai.
Professional Milestones
Dr. BinBrek is a Consultant Cardiologist at the Rashid hospital, Dubai. He is a Founding Member of the Emirates Medical Association, and a Member of the Emirates Cardiac Society. He is also Chairperson of the Medical Research Committee appointed by the Director General of Dubai Health Authority.
Dr. Azan has many publications to his credit. These have appeared in several peer-reviewed journals, including American Journal of Cardiology, Future Cardiology, and American Heart Journal.
He is the Principal Investigator of several studies, many of which are studies on the safety and efficacy of novel thrombolytic agents. He has participated in many major
cardiology conferences worldwide, and some of his research has been presented at these conferences.
He has given numerous lectures in the UAE, Gulf and many Middle East countries, and delivered a presentation in the December 2011 in the Gulf Heart Association Meeting held in Dubai.
Major Achievements
Dr. BinBrek was responsible for the establishment of one of the best cardiac units in the UAE. This is reflected in the number of clinical research done under his leadership.
He has set up an excellent non-invasive laboratory consisting of Exercise ECG, Echo (Transesophageal and Dobutamine), Holter monitor, and 24-hour BP monitoring.
He has also set up an excellent Cardiac Catheterization laboratory that now does Primary PCI and complicated cases. He has also been responsible for inviting several overseas visitors for training Dubai based cardiologists.
He was one of the first to introduce thrombolytic therapy in the treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction in 1989. Pre-thrombolytic mortality was around 10% and with this treatment, mortality dropped dramatically to about 2-3%.
During his tenure as Head of Cardiology Unit at Rashid Hospital, he introduced same day admission and discharge for patients undergoing coronary angiography. Previously, these patients were admitted the day before and discharged the day after the procedure.
Dr. BinBrek has been involved in the training and mentoring of Under Graduates, Post Graduates, and medical Doctors in Cardiology. One example is Dr. Fahad Baslaib whom he encouraged to do Invasive Cardiology in Canada and who has now introduced Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Implantation (TAVI) in Rashid Hospital. He also encouraged Dr. Abdulla Kahayat, the current CEO of Latifa Hospital, to specialize in Pediatric Cardiology.