Dr. Karim Benaissa

Dr. Karim Benaissa is a senior cardiologist at CHU Mustapha Pacha, one of Algeria's largest and most prestigious university hospitals located in the heart of Algiers. With over 22 years of clinical experience, Dr. Benaissa has established himself as a leading interventional cardiologist in Algeria and across the Maghreb region.

Trained initially at the Université d'Alger's Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Benaissa pursued advanced specialization in cardiology before undertaking a competitive fellowship in interventional cardiology at a major cardiac center in France. This international training gave him exposure to cutting-edge catheterization techniques and complex coronary interventions that he brought back to Algeria's public health system.

At CHU Mustapha Pacha, Dr. Benaissa leads the cardiac catheterization laboratory and is actively involved in training the next generation of Algerian cardiologists. He participates regularly in the national cardiovascular disease prevention programs and has contributed to improving acute cardiac care pathways in the Algiers region. He is a respected member of the Société Algérienne de Cardiologie and frequently presents at national and regional cardiology conferences.

Dr. Benaissa completed his undergraduate medical degree at the Faculty of Medicine, Université d'Alger, graduating with distinction. He subsequently undertook his residency specialization in cardiology (DES Cardiologie) at CHU Mustapha Pacha, where he trained under Algeria's most experienced cardiologists.

To further his expertise in catheter-based coronary therapies, Dr. Benaissa was awarded a fellowship in interventional cardiology at a renowned cardiac institute in France, gaining hands-on experience in complex PCI procedures, rotational atherectomy, and intravascular imaging. This Franco-Algerian training background reflects Algeria's strong tradition of medical collaboration with France, a relationship that continues to benefit Algerian patients through knowledge transfer and access to advanced techniques.

Dr. Benaissa's primary clinical focus is interventional cardiology — the use of catheter-based techniques to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease without open-heart surgery. He performs a high volume of coronary angiographies and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), including stent placements in patients presenting with stable angina and acute coronary syndromes.

He is also highly proficient in cardiac imaging, performing both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography to assess cardiac structure and function. His management of heart failure encompasses both pharmacological and device-based approaches, and he regularly evaluates patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Key procedures include: coronary angiography and diagnostic catheterization, primary PCI for STEMI, complex multi-vessel PCI, echocardiography (TTE and TEE), Holter monitoring and arrhythmia evaluation, and management of hypertensive emergencies.

Dr. Benaissa has contributed to research on cardiovascular disease burden in Algeria, with a particular interest in the rising incidence of coronary artery disease linked to lifestyle changes and metabolic syndrome in North African populations. He has co-authored publications in French-language cardiology journals on acute coronary syndrome management protocols and the outcomes of PCI in Algerian patients. He participates in multicenter cardiovascular registries that track treatment outcomes across Maghreb countries, contributing to a growing evidence base for regional cardiovascular care.

Dr. Benaissa consults in Arabic, French, and English, making his services accessible to Algerian diaspora patients visiting from France, Canada, and other French-speaking countries, as well as English-speaking patients seeking cardiac care in Algeria. CHU Mustapha Pacha, while a public hospital, receives patients from across North and West Africa for complex cardiac procedures not readily available in their home countries.

For diaspora patients planning a visit to Algeria for cardiac evaluation or intervention, Dr. Benaissa's team can arrange pre-visit consultations by video to review prior cardiac investigations and plan the most efficient in-person assessment. Cardiac surgery cases requiring open procedures are coordinated with the cardiovascular surgery department at the same institution.

Dr. Benaissa has been recognized by the Société Algérienne de Cardiologie for his contributions to advancing interventional cardiology practice in Algeria. He has received commendation from the Algerian Ministry of Health's cardiovascular disease prevention directorate for his role in establishing structured STEMI pathways in the Algiers region. His work mentoring cardiology residents at CHU Mustapha Pacha has been acknowledged by the university's Faculty of Medicine as a model of academic clinical practice.