IJN poised to be first to treat heart disease without surgery

http://thestar.com.my/

Thursday February 17, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Heart Institute (IJN) is set to become the first health institution in the Asia-Pacific region to use a new technology to correct leaking mitral valves without surgery.

IJN chief executive officer Tan Sri Dr Robaayah Zambahari said currently, the treatment of leakages was via surgical valve replacement or surgical valve repair which required open heart surgery.

In her briefing to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti), Dr Robaayah said the new technique called MitralClip adapted basic surgical concepts to narrow the valve, hence correcting the leak.

Dr Robaayah added that the newly-introduced technology was safer and more suitable for patients who had a high risk for surgery.

She added that the first 10 cases with clinical experts, inclusive of MitraClip components and training, required an estimated funding of RM1mil. Robaayah hoped it would be made available in Malaysia by year-end.

Bakti president Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor later presented a cheque for RM300,000 while 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) presented another cheque for RM700,000 to IJN’s charity arm, IJN Foundation.

“IJN’s effort will help save the lives of 10 patients who cannot afford to pay for the treatment,” Rosmah said.

This is not the first time Bakti has come forward to assist IJN in medical advancement. Last year, it donated RM50,000 to fund IJN’s stem cell research and development.