ABOUT

The Department of Medicine is one of the largest departments within the College of Medicine & Health Sciences and Sultan Qaboos University Hospital. We are committed to setting the highest standards for quality medical education, clinical research, and patient-centered specialty and subspecialty care delivered by highly competent professionals.

The Department of Medicine is comprised of 9 units encompassing the following medical specialties: Cardiology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Neurology, Oncology, Pulmonology, and Rheumatology.

VISION and MISSION

Our vision:

We aspire for prominence in healthcare delivered by our highly qualified, educated, trained, and developed competent and compassionate physicians.

Our mission:

We strive to create an environment conducive for achieving excellence in learning, clinical research, specialized, state-of-the-art, and evidence based clinical care.

Department of Medicine

College of Medicine and Health Science

Sultan Qaboos University 

PO Box : 35, Alkoudh.123 Sultanate of Oman

Phone : (+968) 24143404

Fax : (+968) 24141198

E-mail : amamari@squ.edu.om

A.  List main services of the unit:

 1. Outpatient Services

1. General cardiology clinics (evaluation & follow-up of cardiac patients)
2. Specialized clinics:

• Heart failure clinic
• Structural heart disease clinic
• Electrophysiology  clinic

2. Inpatient & Acute Care

3. Coronary Care Unit (CCU) / Cardiac ward
4. Management of acute coronary syndromes (STEMI, NSTEMI, unstable angina)
5. Advanced heart failure management
6. Post-operative / post-interventional cardiac care

3. Non-Invasive Cardiology

7. Echocardiography (TTE, TEE, 3D Echo, Strain Imaging)
8. Stress testing (treadmill / pharmacological)
1. Ambulatory monitoring (Holter, event recorder)
10. Electrocardiography (ECG, exercise ECG)
11. Cardiac CT and Cardiac MRI (in collaboration with Radiology)

4. Invasive & Interventional Cardiology

50. Diagnostic coronary angiography

1000. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI: balloon angioplasty, stenting, FFR, IVUS IVL and Rotablation)
14. Structural heart interventions:
15. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)
16. MitraClip / TriClip (TEER)
17. ASD / PFO / VSD closure
18. Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) closure
19. Balloon valvotomy (mitral, pulmonary)
20. Endomyocardial biopsy

5. Electrophysiology & Devices

21. Pacemaker implantation & follow-up

5. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy

23. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)

2. List main areas of Research for the Unit – if required with 2-4 sentences providing essential details.

1. Coronary Artery Disease & Acute Coronary Syndromes
Focus on outcomes of revascularization strategies (PCI vs. CABG), risk stratification tools, and predictors of Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE) in local populations. Ongoing projects utilize angiographic, clinical, and biomarker data to refine patient management.

2. Structural Heart Disease
Research includes transcatheter valve interventions (TAVI, MitraClip, TriClip), septal defect closures, and left atrial appendage devices. The aim is to assess procedural outcomes, long-term safety, and cost-effectiveness within our regional healthcare system.

3. Heart Failure & Cardiomyopathies
Exploring novel pharmacological therapies (e.g., sacubitril/valsartan), device-based monitoring, and predictors of hospitalization/readmission. Special emphasis on the interaction between heart failure, sleep apnea, and arrhythmias.

5. Electrophysiology & Arrhythmias
Investigating incidence, predictors, and outcomes of atrial fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. Research covers ablation strategies, device therapy (pacemakers, ICD, CRT), and optimization of anticoagulation.

7. Academic Innovation & AI in Cardiology
Pioneering studies in digital health, artificial intelligence, and remote monitoring (EMA apps, wearables). Aimed at early detection of deterioration and improved patient adherence through technology-driven solutions.

3. List Teaching/Training offered (other than MD program) under following heads:

1. OMSB Residency Training (Cardiology Track)

• Full participation in the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) Internal Residency Program.
• Structured clinical rotations in  cardiology unit.
• Residents gain exposure to outpatient clinics, inpatient ward management, CCU, Echo and cath lab procedures.
• Regular academic activities: case presentations, journal clubs, and bedside teaching.
• Emphasis on developing independent clinical decision-making, procedural skills, and evidence-based practice.

4. List 1-3 notable or special Achievements: - if required with 2-4 sentences providing essential details (eg. Community outreach / national or international projects or engagements / contribution to Oman Vision 2040…….)

1. Establishment of a Comprehensive Structural Heart Program
The unit has developed into a full structural program offering adult Congeintal defect closure, MitraClip/TriClip, Valve in Valve, Valve in MAC, TAVI and advanced septal and LAA device closures. This makes the center a national referral hub and aligns with Oman Vision 2040 by introducing cutting-edge therapies locally, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad.

2. National & International Collaborations
The unit actively engages in joint projects with regional and international centers, contributing to multicenter registries, guideline development, and academic publications. These collaborations enhance Oman’s visibility in global cardiology networks and foster knowledge exchange.

3. Collaboration Across Oman & Complex Case Referrals
Our staff regularly collaborate with hospitals across Oman by supporting them in performing advanced procedures and providing expertise in complex structural interventions. The unit also serves as a national center of excellence by accepting referred high-risk and technically challenging cases, ensuring patients across the country have access to advanced cardiac care.