| Azaraimy HH |
BRUNEI continues to see increasing cases of cardiovascular diseases, which remains one of the leading causes of death in the country besides cancer. There have been a lot of efforts and initiatives to curb the problem, including the promotion of healthier lifestyles as one of the nation’s goals in Vision 2035.
Brunei Darussalam has also seen various advances in treatments over the recent years.
At the 3rd Annual Cardiology Conference, organised by the Cardiac Society of Brunei Darussalam, local Specialist Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, Dr Sofian bin Dato Paduka Dr Haji Johar, talked about the various advances in his presentation session titled ‘Cardiology at the limits: Recent advances in Brunei and future perspective’.
The conference was held yesterday at the Rizqun International Hotel. Dr Sofian started off with an introduction of an electroanatomic mapping system, which he used to perform complex procedures to treat heart rhythm problems. He also discussed the first ever ablation procedures and presented some results of Bruneian patients, which showed results comparable with international centres.
Among those in attendance during the Cardiac Society of Brunei Darussalam’s 3rd Annual Cardiology Conference. – AZARAIMU HH
In an interview, Dr Sofian highlighted the successful introduction of leadless wireless pacemakers in Brunei back in 2013. Back then, the media reported Brunei to have successfully performed the surgery led by Dr Sofian and the revolutionary pacemaker was one of the world’s smallest and wireless pacemakers called ‘Micra leadless pacemaker’ and functions without the need of wires. These pacemakers were implanted into two patients in the country, one of which was an 85 year-old man. It was reported that Brunei was the second country in the Asia Pacific region to implant the Micra leadless pacemaker shortly after its commercial release. The Micra pacemaker is 93 per cent smaller than conventional pacemakers and offers an estimated longevity of 10 to 14 years, compared to the traditional pacemaker that has a lifespan of seven to 10 years.
Another issue Dr Sofian talked about was stroke and the methods used to reduce the risk of stroke by planting a device.
He also talked about a new technology replacing open heart surgery, which is using keyhole surgery procedures to put a valve through the leg and into the heart to make it work properly. The specialist cardiologist said the method was successfully done on an 84-year-old woman who took only four days in hospital to recover before being discharged. He said normally an open heart surgery will take longer periods of time for recovery before they can be discharged.
Other topics were also discussed yesterday, among them were on ‘What’s new on Coronary Angioplasty and Anti-Platelets’ presented by Dr Patrick Ang, Consultant Cardiologist at the Gleneagles JPMC; ‘Cardiology and Diabetes: Co-relation to Obesity’ by Dr Kan Yuk Man, Consultant Bariatric Surgeon from Singapore; ‘Management of Acute Heart-Failures’ by Dr Ezam Emran, Consultant Cardiologist at the RIPAS Hospital; a keynote lecture on ‘Electrophysiology: Past, Present and Future’ by Dr Teo Wee Siong, Consultant Electrophysiologist in Singapore and President of the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society and many other topics related to cardiology.
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