Dr. Rafik Abu Samra

Dr. Rafik Abu Samra is a Senior Consultant Cardiac Surgeon with 23 years of experience in cardiothoracic surgery. He trained extensively in Poland, completing his medical degree from the University of Silesia in 1993, followed by specialist qualifications in general surgery (1998) and cardiac surgery (2003). He earned a Ph.D. in cardiac surgery with a focus on minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques in 2011. Dr. Abu Samra spent 8 years as a cardiac surgeon and 9 years as a consultant cardiac surgeon at the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, before moving to the UAE where he served as Senior Consultant Cardiac Surgeon and Head of Cardiac Surgery at a major Sharjah hospital.

Dr. Abu Samra is renowned for establishing the first robotic-assisted cardiac surgery programme in the UAE using the Da Vinci system. His clinical expertise spans conventional bypass surgery, minimally invasive keyhole coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB), robotic-assisted bypass grafting, and complex valve repairs and replacements including aortic valve replacement (AVR) and mitral valve procedures. He also specialises in treating thoracic aortic disease—both emergency situations like aortic dissection and planned procedures for aortic aneurysms. His minimally invasive approach includes endoscopic vein harvesting and specialized techniques to reduce surgical trauma.

Dr. Abu Samra is an excellent choice for patients needing advanced cardiac surgery with a focus on tissue-sparing, less invasive techniques. His combination of traditional open surgery expertise with pioneering robotic technology makes him well-suited to complex cases requiring tailored surgical strategies.