Raja Hatem

Raja Hatem is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine. He is a renowned interventional cardiologist specializing in complex coronary interventions, particularly chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and complex hemodynamic procedures (CHIP). He serves as the Cath Lab Director and Director of the CTO-CHIP Program at Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, part of the CIUSSS Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal.

Dr. Hatem completed his medical degree at Université de Montréal (2009), followed by residencies in Internal Medicine and Cardiology (2015). He further specialized in interventional cardiology at Columbia University Medical Center (2017). His expertise includes innovative techniques in vascular interventions and the use of advanced medical devices, such as the first operator in Canada to deploy critical tools like the SyncVision iFR system (2018), Mamba microcatheter (2020), and MicroRx microcatheter (2024).

His research focuses on optimizing CTO-PCI outcomes, radiation exposure reduction, and procedural safety. He has authored and co-authored over 30 peer-reviewed articles, chapters in interventional cardiology manuals, and contributed to global guidelines such as the Global Chronic Total Occlusion Crossing Algorithm (2021). His awards include the Bayer Fellowship (2015–2016) and multiple honors for clinical excellence and innovation.

Dr. Hatem is a sought-after international lecturer and has pioneered techniques like the “zero-contrast CTO-PCI” and the “self-made covered stent technique.” He actively participates in clinical trials and registries, including the OPEN-CTO registry, which evaluates retrograde CTO-PCI outcomes. His work bridges clinical practice, research, and medical education, emphasizing patient-centered innovation.