The workshop is a forum for updating in-depth knowledge, sharing practical experiences and live demonstrations of interventional cases, once again affirming Bach Mai Hospital's pioneering position in the field of modern interventional cardiology in Vietnam.
Severe coronary artery calcification – a major challenge in coronary intervention
Severe coronary artery calcification is a common condition in elderly patients, diabetics, chronic kidney failure or long-term smokers. The hard calcium layer makes the lesion "hard as a rock", preventing the normal balloon from fully expanding, the stent from being close to the vessel wall, leading to a high rate of technical failure, serious complications (dissection, perforation) and the risk of needing emergency bypass surgery. Many patients have been refused intervention at other facilities for this reason.
The Cardiovascular Institute - Bach Mai Hospital has pioneered the successful implementation of the Intravascular Calcification Balloon technique using Hertz contact force. This is the first application case in Vietnam.
Recently, Bach Mai Hospital successfully performed the first coronary intervention using Hertz contact force intravascular calcification balloon in Vietnam.
Compared with traditional de-icing methods (high-speed rotary drilling, ball cutting, high-pressure ball), Hertz Contact IVL technology has many outstanding advantages:
- No external generator required, just use a regular balloon pump.
- Selectively breaks down the hard calcium layer while completely protecting the soft tissue layer of the vascular wall.
- Creates even, deep and wide cracks in the plaque, helping the stent expand optimally and adhere better to the vessel wall.
- Significantly reduces the risk of endarteritis, vascular perforation and myocardial infarction during the procedure.
- Simple process, short intervention time, easy technology transfer.
The first case was performed on a 77-year-old male patient with severe calcification, extending from the common trunk to the proximal segment of the left anterior descending artery, who had been refused intervention in many places. The team of the Cardiology Institute in collaboration with a foreign expert, Prof. Dr. Datuk Dr. Rosli Mohd Ali, a Malaysian cardiologist, member of the Asia- Pacific Society of Interventional Cardiology, member of the National Cardiology Association of Malaysia, and Academician of the ASEAN Cardiology Academy, directly performed the procedure and successfully used the Hertz Contact calcification balloon. After activation, the calcification plaque cracked evenly, the lumen of the vessel dilated well, the stent was placed easily and was optimally applied.
The results recorded after intervention with the Hertz contact force endovascular calcification balloon showed positive signals.
Speaking at the workshop, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai - Director of the Cardiovascular Institute, Bach Mai Hospital affirmed: "As the leading cardiovascular institute in the country, we always aim to master and transfer the world's most advanced technologies. The successful implementation of Hertz-powered calcification balloons not only expands the intervention indications for patients with severe calcification who previously had almost no solution, but also puts Vietnam on par with leading cardiovascular centers in Europe and Asia. We are committed to continuing training, standardizing the process and expanding this technique to provincial hospitals as soon as possible."
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Hoai, the Hertz contact force endovascular calcification balloon contributes to affirming the capacity of the Vietnamese medical team, while simplifying the treatment process for patients.
Compelling scientific evidence from major world conferences
At the 2025 American Interventional Cardiology Conference (TCT), Dr. Tamil Selvan Muthusamy (CVSKL Hospital, Malaysia) announced the results on 102 patients: the technical success rate without complications reached 98%.
At EuroPCR 2025 (Paris, France), a multicenter study showed that the lumen diameter after using Hertz Contact balloon increased on average by more than 100% regardless of concentric or eccentric calcification, with a serious complication rate of less than 1%.
International expert perspectives and domestic transition plans
Guest experts from Malaysia, Cho Ray Hospital, Gia Dinh People's Hospital, Tam Duc Heart Hospital, and 108 Hospital all highly appreciated the simplicity, safety, and outstanding effectiveness of this technology.
Dr. Nguyen Quoc Thai - Deputy Director of the Cardiovascular Institute commented: "From the moment we encountered difficulties in inserting the guide wire and balloon, we determined that this was a case of severe calcification. The results after balloon angioplasty and intravascular ultrasound examination showed a high level of calcification and long lesions. Therefore, we decided to use a system to break up the calcified plaque, thereby creating favorable conditions for the stent placement process. After using the Intravascular Calcification Balloon system using Hertz contact force and examination, the calcified plaque was broken, from which we could place the stent more easily.
Vietnam National Heart Institute - Bach Mai Hospital affirms its pioneering role in standardizing and developing modern interventional cardiovascular techniques. With the method of intervening in complex calcified coronary arteries using mechanical IVL intravascular calcification balloon using Hertz force, coronary artery patients in Vietnam can access a safe - effective - sustainable treatment method, contributing to reducing the burden of restenosis and improving long-term prognosis.
Bach Mai Hospital
Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/benh-vien-bach-mai-tien-phong-ung-dung-cong-nghe-moi-trong-dieu-tri-mach-vanh-voi-hoa-phuc-tap-bang-bong-pha-voi-noi-mach-ivl-co-hoc-su-dung-luc-hertz-169251126185016792.htm
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