Henry Ford Hospital Cardiologist to Perform Procedure During Worldwide Live Aid Event

Dr. Khaldoon Alaswad is among 26 doctors participating to promote medical advancements and education

DETROIT (May 3, 2021) – A world-renowned interventional cardiologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit who specializes in catheter-based treatments for heart blockages will perform a live procedure during a 16-hour marathon of cases taking place around the world on May 6. 

Khaldoon Alaswad, M.D., director of the Catheterization Laboratory at Henry Ford, will perform the case as part of CTO LIVE AID, a livestreamed event designed to fundraise for Doctors without Borders while providing invaluable training to cardiologists around the world. Dr. Alaswad was the only U.S. cardiologist to perform a live case at the first CTO LIVE AID event in July 2020.

While the July 2020 event focused exclusively on chronic total occlusion (CTO) cases, which is a complete or nearly complete blockage of a coronary artery, the upcoming CTO LIVE AID event will also feature live bifurcation cases. Bifurcation is the narrowing of the main coronary artery and an adjoining side-branch vessel in the heart.

The upcoming CTO LIVE AID event will involve 26 expert interventional cardiologists in a unique “World Tour”: 10 CTO live cases from nine international centers and 16 bifurcation live cases from 16 international centers will be performed in succession over the 16-hour timeframe. Cases will be performed in East Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North and South America.

“The first CTO LIVE AID in July 2020 was an incredible success,” Dr. Alaswad said. “It was an honor to be part of enhancing the education of cardiologists around the world while supporting the International Red Cross. I am thrilled to once again support this important event and demonstrate the advanced techniques offered at Henry Ford Hospital. By sharing knowledge among the international cardiology community, Henry Ford Hospital is ultimately saving lives and improving outcomes for patients around the world.”

Before the COVID-19 era, cardiologists often traveled to other hospitals and conferences to learn new techniques and share information that helps to improve outcomes for patients. Live cases have traditionally been part of these educational activities; however, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made safely traveling and congregating in person unrealistic.

By hosting this event virtually, cardiologists benefit from the sharing of knowledge and techniques without the risk of COVID-19 transmission that in-person learning would present. 

The CTO LIVE AID event is viewable online only by healthcare professionals. All patients have given permission for their case to be shared during the event. CTO LIVE AID is sponsored by Humanitas Research Hospital in Milan, Italy, one of the most advanced research hospitals in Europe, and a number of cardiology device and equipment manufacturers. The livestream from Henry Ford Hospital is sponsored by Boston Scientific.

Donations are being collected for Doctors without Borders at the CTO LIVE AID webpage. Healthcare professionals who would like to virtually attend the live event may register at:
cto-liveaid.com/registration-required.  

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Adkins / (586) 307-2027 / jadkins6@hfhs.org

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About Henry Ford Health System:
Founded in 1915 by Henry Ford himself, Henry Ford Health System is a non-profit, integrated health system committed to improving people’s lives through excellence in the science and art of healthcare and healing. Henry Ford Health System includes Henry Ford Medical Group, with more than 1,900 physicians and researchers practicing in more than 50 specialties at locations throughout Southeast and Central Michigan. Acute care hospitals include Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI and Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, MI – both Magnet® hospitals; Henry Ford Macomb Hospital; Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital; and Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.

The largest of these is Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, a quaternary care research and teaching hospital and Level 1 Trauma Center recognized for clinical excellence in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, and multi-organ transplants. The health system also provides comprehensive, best-in-class care for cancer at the Brigitte Harris Cancer Pavilion, and orthopedics and sports medicine at the William Clay Ford Center for Athletic Medicine – both in Detroit.

As one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, Henry Ford Health System annually trains more than 3,000 medical students, residents, and fellows in more than 50 accredited programs, and has trained nearly 40% of the state’s physicians. Our dedication to education and research is supported by nearly $100 million in annual grants from the National Institutes of Health and other public and private foundations.

Our not-for-profit health plan, Health Alliance Plan (HAP) provides health coverage for more than 540,000 people.

Henry Ford Health System employs more than 33,000 people, including more than 1,600 physicians, more than 6,600 nurses and 5,000 allied health professionals.