Dr. Ahmed Afifi

for Dr. Ahmed Afifi

Dr. Ahmed Afifi is a leading cardiothoracic surgeon with international training and extensive experience in complex adult and pediatric cardiac surgery. He has served as Head of Cardiac Surgery at the Aswan Heart Centre – Magdi Yacoub Foundation since 2011 and was one of the founding surgical team members when the Centre was established in 2008.

Academic qualifications & training

• MSc in Surgery (with Honors), 2007.

• PhD in Cardiac Surgery, 2011.

• FRCS(CTh) — Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons (Cardio-Thoracic), 2010.

• FACC — Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.

• Advanced fellowships and training at:

  • Imperial College Healthcare Trust (2007–2009).

  • Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London (2009–2010).

Current position & practical experience

• Senior Consultant & Head of Cardiac Surgery, Aswan Heart Centre – Magdi Yacoub Foundation (since 2011).

• Involved in founding the Centre (2008) and leads clinical and infrastructure expansion projects (labs, ORs, enhanced ICU capacity).

• Heads multidisciplinary surgical teams and supervises fellowship programs for regional trainees.

Surgical specialties & signature procedures

Dr. Afifi’s clinical practice focuses on complex cardiac operations in adults and children, including:

• Valve repair and reconstruction (notably mitral valve repair).

• Aortic root surgery, including valve-conserving approaches (e.g., Yacoub II) and Ross procedure where appropriate.

• Complex congenital heart repairs in neonates and infants (Nikaidoh, Warden, etc.).

• Treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) with techniques such as the Aswan Technique for Extended Septal Myectomy.

• Advanced coronary and arterial procedures as required.

• Preference for preservation and reconstructive techniques when feasible to avoid prosthetic replacements, especially in children.

Research, publications & innovations

• Published works on the structural and functional characterization of the aorta in HOCM (May 2023).

• Long-term follow-up studies (e.g., outcomes 12 years post-Nikaidoh operation).

• Research into vascular and aortic adaptations in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients.

• Active participant in the development of biointegrative / bioresorbable heart valves with Sir Magdi Yacoub’s team — animal studies show valve tissue integration and growth; first-in-human clinical trials planned (50–100 patients) to evaluate safety and efficacy. This innovation could markedly reduce or eliminate repeat valve replacements in children.

Memberships & academic activities

• Member of CTSNet (Cardiothoracic Surgery Network).

• Member of EACTS (European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery).

• Advocate and implementer of the Heart Team model for collaborative decision-making.

• Supervises fellowship training and educational programs at Aswan Heart Centre; regular speaker at international cardiac surgery meetings.

Leadership & clinical impact

• Instrumental in building the Aswan Heart Centre into a regional referral center.

• Combines high-volume clinical experience with research and innovation, applying cutting-edge reconstructive techniques and training the next generation of surgeons.

Why patients and referring physicians choose Dr. Ahmed Afifi

• Internationally trained cardiac surgeon with decades of hands-on experience in complex reconstructive and congenital operations.

• Strong record in valve-preserving surgery and pediatric cardiac reconstruction.

• Active research leader involved in potentially practice-changing technologies (bio-valves).

• Multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach via Heart Team coordination.

Booking & follow-up (Macrocare)

You can book a consultation with Dr. Afifi via Macrocare for evaluation, pre-operative planning, and coordinated post-operative follow-up — Macrocare streamlines appointments, diagnostic coordination and support for local and international patients.