MEDICAL

FARRER PARK HOSPITAL

Interventional cardiology has revolutionised the treatment of cardiovascular diseases ( CVD ), offering minimally invasive procedures that significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life .

Farrer Park Hospital ( FPH ) envisioned educating the public , patients , and their caregivers about heart health , from preventive screening and diagnosis to various treatments and post-treatment care . Over the years , the hospital has consistently demonstrated its commitment to interventional cardiology , completing numerous firsts of complex interventional cardiology for its patients .

The latest is the HeartMate device implant for advanced heart failure in patients needing short- or longterm mechanical circulatory support . The procedure was conducted in March 2023 on a 41-year-old patient who had two heart attacks and other comorbidities . The device is a left ventricular assist device , or LVAD , that works essentially as a pump in the heart and can be used as a temporary measure while waiting for a heart transplant . Implanting an LVAD can also be used as a therapeutic measure in patients who don ’ t need a heart transplant . After implantation , patients can fully recover with blood normally flowing through the heart .

Another first for FPH was to offer the Farapulse Pulsed Field Ablation ( PFA ) system to treat atrial fibrillation ( AF ) and other cardiac arrhythmias . PFA is an emerging field that has the potential to alter the future of ablation

Dr Ravi Shrestha & Dr Timothy Low

therapy and improve the safety of cardiac ablations for patients . A total of ten procedures have been performed at FPH since December 2022 .

During the procedure , electrodes are placed on the patient ’ s chest and back . These electrodes deliver pulsed electric fields to the heart , effectively ablating ( destroying ) the cells that generate irregular rhythms . The procedure aims to restore the heart ’ s normal rhythm by eliminating or significantly reducing the abnormal signals . An advantage of Farapulse PFA is its non-invasive nature .

Besides LVAD and PFA , FPH has had other notable interventional cardiology achievements over the years . For example , in 2017 , the hospital implanted the World ’ s Smallest Cardiac Pacemaker . In 2020 , the hospital also gained recognition for the implantation of the AngelMed Guardian System , designed to monitor and detect symptoms of an impending heart attack , enabling timely medical intervention . In 2021 , FPH provided Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation ( TAVI ) as an alternative treatment option for patients with aortic valve stenosis .

These complex heart procedures require high technical expertise , state-of-the-art facilities , and a multidisciplinary approach .

FPH ’ s cardiovascular clinical team includes skilled medical technologists , highly experienced radiographers , and nurses . Plus , an advanced Cardiovascular Suite ( CVS ) with three operating theatres and a catheterisation laboratory .

FPH understands that each patient is unique and deserves personalised attention , empathy , and respect . By continuously pushing the boundaries of medicine , the hospital reaffirms its position and focuses on interventional cardiology . Their achievements in these complex procedures provide improved treatment options and better outcomes for patients suffering from cardiac conditions .

In addition , by fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing , FPH aims to improve cardiovascular health at a broader level and prioritises the safe recovery of its patients .

GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com ISSUE 4 | 2023

79