National Heart Centre Singapore

National Heart Centre (NHC) Singapore is the regional referral centre for cardiovascular disease. The centre’s doctors, who are highly skilled and have extensive postgraduate qualifications, form the largest heart specialists group in Singapore.

A one-stop centre offering comprehensive services with various cardiac subspecialties and supporting services, National Heart Centre Singapore treats complex cases and sees the highest volume of patients in Singapore. With 185 dedicated inpatient beds and a multi-disciplinary team of approximately 700 healthcare professionals including over 60 experienced cardiac and thoracic specialists, patients can be assured of obtaining the most appropriate care regardless of the nature of their underlying heart disease.

Our annual workload includes over 80,000 outpatient consultations, 80,000 cardiac investigations and around 5000 invasive procedures such as angioplasty, pacemaker implantation and open-heart surgery. Our outcomes for heart attack treatment, balloon angioplasty and bypass surgery have been shown to be equivalent to international standards.

The centre is the first heart centre outside USA and in Asia to receive the prestigious Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, which is an assurance for safe and quality patient care for the patients.

Our services include:

Specialist Outpatient Clinics

• Clinical cardiology Clinic
• Clinical Cardiothoracic Surgery Clinic
• Anti-coagulation Clinic
• Grown-up Congenital Heart Clinic
• Heart Failure Clinic
• Heart Transplantation Clinic
• Lung Transplantation Clinic
• Arrhythmia and Pacemaker Clinic
• Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic
• Dietitian Clinic
• Warfarin Counselling Clinic
• Obesity and Endocrine Clinic

 Please click here to request additional information from National Heart Centre Singapore

National Heart Centre, together with its sister institutions under Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), Singapore General Hospital, Singapore National Eye Centre, National Cancer Centre, National Dental Centre (which are all located within Outram Campus), Changi General Hospital, Kandang Kerbau Women's and Children's Hospital, National Neuroscience Centre and eight polyclinics island-wide caters to a complete healthcare needs of the nation.

SingHealth is one of the two public healthcare clusters. It was incorporated on 31 March 2000 after a major re-organisation of the public health services in Singapore.

Clinical Specialties

• Department of Cardiology
• Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Department of Cardiac Anaesthesia
• Department of Cardiac Radiology

Research & Clinical Trials
At the cutting edge of medical advancements, National Heart Centre is involved in a wide range of cardiovascular research projects and clinical trials, to improve diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of our patients.

Research interests at National Heart Centre broadly focus on cell and molecular studies to evaluate and understand the genetic variations, risk factors, and role of vascular endothelial cells in cardiovascular diseases. These studies aim to identify the specific markers for coronary heart disease as well as to help develop novel therapeutic targets and strategies to improve outcomes.

National Heart Centre has embarked on stem-cell research, to explore and determine the potential of differentiating and transforming human stem cells into specific cardiomyocytes for the myocardial repair and growth of cardiac tissue in heart-failure patients.

Clinical trials are also being performed comparing novel investigative or treatment alternatives with the current standard diagnostic tests and therapies.

International Medical Service (IMS) 
Falling sick can be a stressful affair, especially so if you are seeking treatment overseas.

Our International Medical Service (IMS) provides a one-stop service for international patients, including providing cost estimates for your treatment and hospital stay, arranging appointments with the doctors and accommodation for you and your accompanying relatives to suit your budget and assisting you with the hospital registration and admission.

 Please click here to request additional information from National Heart Centre Singapore

Clinical Services

Many investigative tests are available today to diagnose heart or vascular disease. NHC has the latest equipment and experienced doctors to make reliable diagnoses and recommend the most appropriate treatment for the patients.

Investigative Procedures

•  Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
•  Ambulatory Electrocardiogram (Holter monitoring)
•  Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging
•  Chest Radiograph (X-ray)
•  CT Coronary Angiography (Multi-Slice Coronary Tomography Angiogram)
•  Duplex Ultrasound (Vascular Investigation)
•  Echocardiography (Transthoracic, Transoesophageal)
•  Electrocardiogram (ECG)
•  Exercise Stress Test
•  Myocardial Biopsies
•  Nuclear Stress/Rest Perfusion Scans
•  Signal-averaged ECG (SA-ECG)
•  Peripheral Vascular Interventions
•  Pressure Line Measurements
•  Rest-redistribution Thallium Imaging
•  Rest and Exercise Gated Blood Pool Scans
•  Signal-averaged ECG (SA-ECG)
•  Transtelephonic ECG
•  Upright Tilt Test

 Medical Procedures

•  Coronary Atherectomy
•  Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy
•  Coronary Angiography/ Cardiac Catheterisation
•  Electrophysiological Study
•  Intraaortic Balloon Counterpulsation
•  Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging
•  Pacemaker/ Lead Extraction
•  Percutaneous Balloon Mitral Valvuloplasty
•  Percutaneous Balloon Pulmonary and Aortic Valvuloplasty
•  Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting)
•  Percutaneous Device Closure of Secundum Atrial Septal Defect/Patent Foramen Ovale
•  Permanent Pacemaker, Automated Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
•  Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Supraventricular Tachycardia/ Ventricular Tachycardia/ Atrial Fibrillation
•  Trachea-resection and Reconstruction 

 Cardiac Surgery

•  Conventional Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
•  Off-pump / Beating Heart Surgery
•  Heart Valve Surgery
•  Mitral Valve Repair Surgery
•  Congenital Heart Disease Surgery
•  Maze Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation
•  Left Ventricular Reconstructive Surgery (also known as Dor or Saver surgery)
•  Heart Transplantation for Patients with End-Stage Heart Disease
•  Insertion of Pacemakers, AICD, Extraction of Pacemaker Leads
•  Valvular Heart Surgery including Valve Repair and Replacement Surgery 

Thoracic Surgery    

•  Complete Muscle Spacing Thoracotomy
•  Drainage of Empyema
•  Lung Resection for Cancer of the Lung
•  Lung Transplantation for Advanced Lung Disease
•  Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS) for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
•  Mediastinoscopy for Staging of Lung Cancer
•  Minimally Invasive (Endoscopic) Thoracic Sympathectomy
•  Pleurodesis for Spontaneous Pneumothorax
•  Repair of Oesophageal Perforations
•  Repair of Trachea Oesophageal Fistula
•  Resection and Reconstruction of Chest Wall Tumour including Locally Advanced Breast Cancer
•  Resection of Mediastinal Tumours
•  Total Oesophagectomy for Cancer of Oesophagus / Other Disorders
•  Total Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis
•  Trachea-resection and Reconstruction
•  Repair of Pectus Excavatum

 Aortic and Peripheral Vascular Surgery

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surgery
• Peripheral Vascular Arterial Surgery
• Thoracic and Thoraco abdominal Aorta Surgery
• Surgery for Acute and Chronic Arterial Disorders
• Creation of Arterio-venous Fistulae for Dialysis

Mechanical Heart Assist Device

• Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
• Biventricular Assist Device (BIVAD)
• Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) for acute cardiorespiratory failure

Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit

• Intensive and critical care coverage for patients’ post open-heart, thoracic and vascular operations

Vascular Laboratory

• Colour-flow duplex ultrasonography for management of vascular disorders of the peripheral arterial system, abdominal aorta, extra-cranial cerebrovascular and venous system.

Lung Cancer Multi-modality Therapy

• Complete workup and full consultation with oncology and pulmonology consultants, prior to surgical treatment.

Sub-Specialty Clinics
The underlying strength of NHC is its multi-disciplinary approach in the management of heart disease. It runs sub-specialty clinics for patients with heart conditions or disease.

•  Adult Congenital Heart Clinic
•  Anti-coagulation Clinic
•  Arrhythmia and Pacemaker Clinic
•  Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic
•  Dietitian Clinic
•  Heart Failure Clinic
•  Heart Transplantation Clinic
•  Lung Transplantation Clinic
•  Obesity and Endocrine Clinic
•  Warfarin Counselling Clinic

 Please click here to request additional information from National Heart Centre Singapore 

Medical Director 
A/Prof Koh Tian Hai
MBBS, M Med (Int Med)
 
Cardiology 
Deputy Medical Director, Senior Consultant 
Dr. Terrance Chua
MBBS, MRCP(UK), M Med (Int Med), FRCP(Lond), FAMS, FRCPE, FACC(USA)
 
Head & Senior Consultant 
Dr. Lim Soo Teik
MBBS, M Med (Int Med), MRCP (UK), FAMS, FRCP
 
Cardiothoracic Surgery
 
Head & Senior Consultant 
Asst Prof Sin Yoong Kong
MBBS, FRCS (Edin), FAMS

 Please click here to request additional information from National Heart Centre Singapore 

Bypass That Saved His Life (click on title to view complete article)
Five years ago,Goenawan Endro started experiencing tightness at his chest area and chest pain. He was prescribed medication, told to stop smoking and was recommended to go for a balloon angioplasty. Mr Goenawan took all but the advice to go for the angioplasty.
In end 2005, Mr Goenawan suffered a heart attack. Dr. Irwan saw Mr. Goenawan after his heart attack and suggested he should go through the angioplasty. TMr Goenawan complied. “Dr Irwan is very patient, he is unlike my previous doctors who only instructed me to go for the angioplasty without being able to tell me exactly why I needed to do it. This doctor explained my condition in detail and the need to go for the procedure. After 2 to 3 visits, I finally convinced to go for the procedure,” said Mr Goenawan.

The angioplasty revealed Mr Goenawan had very serious blockages in his arteries – total blockage on his left side and 20 to 30% on his right. Given the results, Dr Irwan advised him to go for a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG).  Mr Goenawan finally decided on Singapore after strong recommendations from friends and relatives.

Surgeons performed a successful CABG on Mr Goenawan. Visibly happy with the success of his operation and positive experience at the National Heart Centre, Mr Goenawan gave two thumbs-up to the staff of the National Heart Centre, “The service quality is very good, we felt welcomed and I was well taken care of. The nurses, especially those in the intensive care unit, were professional and kind. My doctor-in-charge, Dr Sin, was very informative and professional as well. I also did not have much problems communicating with him because he could speak Bahasa Indonesia.”

Voice Over (click on title to view complete article)For three months, 58 year-old Indonesian businessman Aminuddin Halim had difficulty talking. A local ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialist referred Mr. Halim to Singapore and recommended for him to consult doctors at the ENT department of Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. Upon further examination, doctors at Mount Elizabeth discovered that Mr Halim’s loss of voice was due to complications from an earlier operation he had in Indonesia on his heart to insert a stent into a blocked artery.

Mr. Halim was quickly transferred to the National Heart Centre where heart specialists were better equipped to manage his condition. After a series of tests and assessment of his condition, doctors at the National Heart Centre diagnosed him with descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, an enlargement of the aorta. This caused his vocal chords to be compressed, resulting in difficulty of speech.

Mr. Halim underwent an operation to correct the problem.  Mr. Halim spent eight days in hospital, which he described as a hotel-like accommodation.
Mr. Halim expressed his satisfaction with doctors at the National Heart Centre. “The doctors were very informative. They told me everything that I needed to know in detail. They did not try to hide anything from me. I can talk much better now and louder as well. The nurses were very professional, friendly and caring.”

Breathing Easy Now (click on title to view complete article)
Three years ago, Vietnamese Ty Dieu Tran Chau started experiencing difficulty in breathing. She could not sleep properly at night, and tire and pant easily when she climbed the stairs. Visits to the doctor over the three-year period always ended up with the same diagnosis – asthma. She was given medication to relieve her symptoms. When her symptoms worsened in July 2006,Tran Chau was diagnosed with tracheal stenosis, which is the narrowing and hardeningof the trachea (commonly known as windpipe). She was given a refferal letter to see a cardiothoracic surgeon at NHC. Tran Chau underwent a successful tracheal resection and primary anastomosis after some tests done to assess her condition.

She expressed her gratitude towards the doctors and nurses at NHC. “I felt that I made the right choice by coming to National Heart Centre for treatment. I only have one word to describe the doctors, nurses and the level of service I received – ‘perfect’. After the operation, I only felt fatigue but as for pain, I did not feel any. That’s how good the skills of the NHC doctors. Back in Vietnam, I have never encountered such excellent medical care before.”

In addition, Tran Chau wanted to commend the cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit nurses whom she described as very professional, friendly and caring, “They were very nice to me, and even gave me a small neck pillow to take home when I was discharged. They said I will feel more comfortable using it on the plane.”

Tran Chau’s mother added, “We will tell the people in Vietnam about the high standard of healthcare facilities and medical treatments in Singapore. A lot of people in Vietnam are not well-informed on treatment options. My daughter wants to help the people in Vietnam who do not know about the types of medical treatments offered overseas. She wants to tell them about the National Heart Centre.”

A Hearty Experience (click on title to view complete article)For three years, Vietnamese Mdm Nguyen T h i Sen experienced shortness of breath and frequent coughing. When her symptoms worsened a year ago, Mdm Nguyen consulted a specialist in Ho Chi Minh City who informed her of an impending heart problem. Mdm Nguyen’s daughter, Phuong Lee, decided to send her mother overseas for treatment. She felt that her mother’s condition was worsening and prompt treatment was required. Phuong Lee’s husband suggested that Mdm Nguyen be sent to the National Heart Centre in Singapore for consultation and treatment.

Phuong Lee booked an appointment for her mother. She underwent a physical examination, an x-ray and a  transoesophageal echocardiogram.  Following this, Mdm Nguyen underwent a percutaneous procedure  to correct a secundum atrial septal defect, commonly known as “a hole in the heart”.

The morning following the operation, Mdm Nguyen was up and about, and able to walk and eat as normal. Phuong Lee and her mother were visibly happy and eagerly expressed their satisfaction with the operation. “Look at my mother now. She is so healthy and very happy after the operation. The price of the operation is less in Singapore as compared to one in Australia or in America. The healthcare treatments in Singapore are as good as in America. The medical equipment are top-notch and the hospital facilities are first-rate too.”

Mdm Nguyen was discharged after 14 days in the hospital and Phuong Lee took her shopping the day after, using a wheelchair.  She exclaimed, “I like Singapore.  The shopping is great.  We were out from early morning till late night yesterday.” 

Phuong Lee added, “We will tell the people in Vietnam about the high standard of healthcare facilities and medical treatments in Singapore. A lot of people in Vietnam are ignorant on treatment options.  My mother wants to help the people in Vietnam who do not know about the types of medical treatments offered overseas.  She wants to tell them about the National Heart Centre.” Speaking in Vietnamese, Mcm Nguyen said, “I hope that people with this same problem will know about the National Heart Centre and visit Singapore for treatment.”

Breathe Again (click on title to view complete article)

Nigerian Very Reverend Professor Samuel Uwhubetine Erivwo experienced occasions of breathlessness for five years before being informed of the need for a heart operation.  His son, Dr. Polycarp Erivwo, chose to send him to Singapore for surgery when it became clear his father needed urgent attention.

A senior consultant from the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery examined Professor Samuel and diagnosed him with aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve. Valvulopasty – heart valve replacement – surgery was necessary.  Doctors replaced his aortic valve with a mosaic bioprosthetic valve.

Visibly happy with the success of his operation and positive experience at the National Heart Centre, Professor Samuel gave two thumbs-up to the staff of the National Hear “The doctors, nurses and staff at the National Heart Centre were all excellent and if I singled out anyone, it would not be fair to the others. They were all so good to me during my stay. There is nothing negative.”

Dr. Polycarp elaborated, “The healthcare facilities in Singapore are excellent and cost of surgery is affordable. The high number of surgeries that the National Heart Centre in Singapore had performed was our deciding factor. It is also the only hospital in Singapore approved for heart transplants.” To that, he added, “I didn’t have difficulty understanding what the doctors were going to do when we met them before the operation. Their explanations were very clear and my father and I fully understood the procedure. The reception during our stay in the hospital has been good. There weren’t any hitches and my father was very well taken care of. We didn’t encounter any problems.”

Bypass to a Better Life (click on title to view complete article)Four years ago Indonesian Tan Istanto Tanzil started experiencing difficulty in breathing and walking a distance.  He was prescribed medication and advised to undergo a heart bypass.  Mr. Tanzil was apprehensive of the complications that may occur.

A catheter probe revealed  five of Mr. Tanzil’s arteries were blocked, putting him at high risk of getting a heart attack.

He got in contact with the National HeartCentre. Mr Tanzil’s daughter, Ivana, explained, “My father feels safe and more comfortable having the operation in Singapore.”

Arrangements were made with an international patient liaison officer at the National Heart Centre. After further tests and an examination by a cardiologist at the National Heart Centre, Mr Tanzil underwent a coronary artery bypass graft. The Centre’s cardiothoracic surgeons performed the successful six-hour operation.

Post-operation, Mr Tanzil was warded for observation for eight days. He expressed his appreciation for doctors and nurses at the National Heart Centre. Ivana translated, “The hospital is nice and the medical equipment are very modern. Service is good as well, especially in the intensive care unit and high dependency ward. The nurses made frequent checks on my father to ensure that he was all right and comfortable.”

Cost-wise, Ivana revealed that the cost of operation in Singapore was not much more expensive than having one in Indonesia.

When asked if the family intends to visit Singapore again, Mr. Tanzil’s wife said, “Definitely for jalan-jalan. Singapore is a very nice place.

 Please click here to request additional information from National Heart Centre Singapore

Clinical Achievements

2007

• First aorto-apical conduit, an unconventional heart procedure, done in Singapore
• First Heart Centre in Southeast Asia with ViTALConnect: Remote access to Cardiac Tomography (CT) reports and manipulate realtime CT data in virtually any part of the world
• First in Southeast Asia to work on clinical validation and training for latest innovations

2006

• Initiated the Robot Assisted Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (RAMICS) Programme
• Record number of 14 patients supported on Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation
• First Centre in Asia to perform pulmonary vein isolation/Maze procedure using the EPICOR Cardiac Ablation system

2005

• First Heart Hospital Outside USA and in Asia to be JCI-accredited
• First robotic-assisted excision of mediastinal mass

1999 - 2004

• Surgical Treatment for Ischaemic Heart (STICH) Failure Trial
• Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Programme: Initially started in 2003 with a weekly outpatient clinic, this programme has gone into full swing since April 2005
• Indonesian Maid Becomes First Patient in Singapore To Fully Recover From Acute Fulminant Myocarditis with Support of ECMO Machine
• Revolutionary DOR Surgery With Dramatic Results
• Crossing The 15,000 Mark and The Journey Begins: The National Heart Centre’s Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery passed yet another milestone, crossing in March 2002 the 15,000 mark in its number of cardiac surgeries.

 Please click here to request additional information from National Heart Centre Singapore 

Accommodation
We will help you find a hotel or service apartment located within 2 km of National Heart Centre at attractive corporate rates, which best suits your needs and budget

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
app.ica.gov.sg/serv_visitor/index.asp

Airport Transfer
We can help to arrange for airport transfer using limousine, ambulance or taxi so that you have a smooth journey.Visitor Information
Information on recreation and entertainment in Singapore such as where to eat, shop and go for sightseeing will be provided upon request.

 Please click here to request additional information from National Heart Centre Singapore