Institut Cardio - Vasculaire de Tanger

Situated just minutes from the Strait of Gibraltar, the Institut Cardio-Vasculaire de Tanger (ICVT) has earned a reputation as the reference centre for heart health in northern Morocco. Founded to bridge the gap between rapidly rising cardiovascular disease rates and the scarcity of specialised facilities in the region, the clinic merges world-class technology with a warm, human approach to care.

Upon entering the modern building at 29 Rue Nador, visitors are welcomed by airy reception areas bathed in natural light and accented with soothing artwork inspired by Tangier’s coastal landscape. Meticulous attention to architectural detail extends beyond aesthetics: wide corridors accommodate stretcher passage without delays, surfaces are coated with antimicrobial finishes, and a state-of-the-art air-filtration system reduces airborne pathogens, reflecting the institute’s unwavering commitment to patient safety.

The heart of the clinic is its catheterisation laboratory, built around the Siemens Artis One angiography system. This platform allows Dr. Fayçal Belaouchi and his team to visualise coronary and peripheral arteries in real time, perform complex angioplasties, and deploy next-generation drug-eluting stents with millimetric precision. An adjoining Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) provides continuous haemodynamic monitoring, enabling seamless transfer from the cath lab to post-procedure observation without exposure to external corridors.

Complementing interventional capabilities is a comprehensive suite of non-invasive diagnostics. Patients benefit from high-resolution transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography, treadmill and pharmacologic stress testing, 24-hour Holter monitoring for rhythm and blood pressure, and duplex ultrasound for arterial and venous assessment. These services are available seven days a week, facilitating rapid work-ups for chest pain, arrhythmias, syncope, or pre-operative evaluation.

Quality of care at ICVT is anchored in internationally accepted guidelines issued by bodies such as the European Society of Cardiology. Each treatment pathway—whether for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction or chronic heart failure—follows evidence-based protocols and is regularly audited. Disposable single-use catheters, sterile draping, and strict hand-hygiene checkpoints exemplify the institute’s infection-prevention culture.

Yet cutting-edge equipment is only part of the equation. Human expertise defines the patient journey. Dr. Belaouchi, a French-trained interventional cardiologist, personally reviews every angiogram and devotes time to explaining results in language that patients and families understand. Multilingual nurses and technicians offer educational sessions on lifestyle modification, medication adherence, and cardiac rehabilitation, ensuring that healing continues long after discharge.

The facility’s 24/7 availability underscores its role as a lifeline for urgent cardiac events in Tangier and neighbouring provinces. An on-call cardiologist can be reached at +212 6 70 06 44 24 at any hour, and the ambulance bay is equipped for direct cath-lab admission, shaving precious minutes off the “door-to-balloon” timeline.

Beyond clinical excellence, ICVT strives to create a restorative atmosphere. Patient rooms overlook landscaped gardens where olive trees and fragrant jasmine provide a calming retreat for families. Nutritious Mediterranean-style meals, developed in collaboration with dietitians, support cardiac health without sacrificing flavour.

By integrating advanced interventional cardiology, holistic patient education, and a serene environment, the Institut Cardio-Vasculaire de Tanger delivers a full spectrum of cardiovascular services comparable to leading centres worldwide. Its mission is clear: to safeguard the hearts of the community through prompt, precise, and compassionate care—24 hours a day, every day of the year.