Shift to non-invasive heart procedures grows

Local

A BYPASS of the operating table is quietly becoming the new route for heart patients, as doctors point to less invasive procedures that are reshaping treatment options for complex cardiac conditions.

Heart specialists are highlighting a growing shift toward non to minimally invasive procedures for cardiovascular disease, as Cebuano patients increasingly explore treatment options in Singapore’s advanced medical centers.

During a roundtable discussion with the media on Friday, April 17, experts from the Asian Heart and Vascular Centre (AHVC) said the development reflects a broader move away from traditional open-heart surgery, particularly for high-risk and elderly patients.

The development comes as cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the Philippines, with experts saying more cases are now being managed through catheter-based and minimally invasive interventions instead of traditional open-heart surgery.

Doctors said many patients previously considered high-risk or inoperable are now candidates for newer techniques that reduce surgical trauma and recovery time.

“Minimally invasive heart procedures are now replacing open-heart surgery for many of our patients,” said Dr. Edgar Tay of AHVC.

He added catheter-based treatments now allow safer procedures even for elderly patients, with shorter recovery periods.

Specialists also flagged valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation as often underdiagnosed conditions that can lead to serious complications, including stroke and heart failure if left untreated.

Atrial fibrillation remains a major concern due to its strong link to stroke risk.

“AF increases stroke risk by 500 percent, and these strokes are often more disabling,” said Dr. Pipin Kojodjojo of AHVC.

He said early diagnosis and newer interventions can significantly improve survival and quality of life.

Modern tech

AHVC said treatment options such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair, and Pulsed Field Ablation are increasingly being used as alternatives to open-heart surgery for selected patients.

These procedures allow doctors to repair or replace heart valves and correct rhythm disorders using catheter-based techniques rather than open chest operations.

The group also described a “one-stop” care model that combines diagnostics, including cardiac MRI and CT angiography, with interventional procedures in a single coordinated treatment pathway.

AHVC operates across several private medical institutions in Singapore, including Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Gleneagles Hospital (Annexe Block), Parkway East Medical Centre, and Farrer Park Medical Centre.

The organization said the network is designed to provide faster access to specialized cardiovascular care and improved recovery outcomes.

Reminder

AHVC said complicated heart cases continue to push patients beyond local care despite ongoing upgrades in Philippine hospitals.

The group said that while cardiac services in the country are expanding, highly complex conditions often still demand subspecialty expertise more commonly available in advanced international centers.

AHVC also stressed the importance of early detection, noting that many serious heart conditions develop silently but become significantly more dangerous once they advance.

“Everybody should know your numbers,” Kojodjojo said, urging the public to regularly monitor key health indicators such as blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Heart disease continued to claim the most lives in the Philippines in early 2025, based on government data.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that ischemic heart diseases caused 89,068 deaths from January to September, accounting for 19.8 percent of total fatalities nationwide.

Cancers followed with 51,904 deaths (11.6 percent), while cerebrovascular diseases, including stroke, recorded 44,593 cases (9.9 percent).(MyTVCebu)