Military Hospital 175 applies new technique in coronary artery bypass surgery

Coronary artery disease is one of the dangerous cardiovascular diseases, with an increasing trend and is the leading cause of death in the world and in Vietnam. Coronary artery bypass surgery is one of the basic treatment methods, bringing high efficiency in restoring blood circulation for the majority of coronary artery disease patients, especially in cases with multiple coronary artery branches, complex lesions, inappropriate indications or high risk of failure with percutaneous coronary intervention.

In recent years, BVQY175 has focused on training, developing human resources, promoting the application of technical advances to gradually improve the quality of diagnosis, treatment and care for patients. Accordingly, many new and specialized techniques in the field of cardiology have been deployed and successfully applied such as: ablation to treat atrial fibrillation combined with open heart surgery (MAZE surgery), coronary artery bypass grafting without using extracorporeal circulation (OPCABG)... With youthful energy, determination, proactive creativity in work and investment in all aspects, the hospital's Cardiovascular Center has made great strides and achieved certain achievements. Modern advanced techniques in the field of cardiology have been deployed and put into routine application by the hospital, most notably coronary artery bypass grafting without extracorporeal circulation (performed while the heart is still beating - OPCABG). It can be said that this is a revolution in the field of coronary artery disease treatment, helping patients have a gentler post-operative period, recover faster and minimize common complications of open heart surgery.

The surgery using this new technique was performed by the surgical team of BVQY175 in collaboration with experts including: Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Phan, Deputy Director of the Cardiovascular Center of Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital, professional consultant of the Cardiovascular Center of BVQY175 and Dr. Pham Thanh Binh, Deputy Head of the Surgery Department of Ho Chi Minh City Heart Institute. In particular, the team of doctors of BVQY175 was proactive in innovating specialized equipment for the surgery because this technique is performed while the heart is still beating, so it requires a specially designed chest wall suspension device. This is an important factor to perform coronary artery bypass surgery in the context of many difficulties in purchasing supplies and equipment as at present.

MSc. Dr. Nguyen Doan Thai Hung, Deputy Head of the Department, in charge of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, BVQY175, said: “The Cardiovascular Center, BVQY175, is proud to be one of the few cardiovascular centers in the country to make OPCABG a routine surgery at the hospital. And we are even more proud when the center continues to develop techniques at a higher level with minimally invasive surgery, with only a small incision, no opening of the sternum, no heart paralysis (MICS CABG). This technique helps patients have less pain, reduces surgical trauma, avoids infection of the sternum and mediastinum, ensures aesthetics and quick recovery, patients can be discharged within 5-7 days after surgery and after 2 weeks patients can return to normal activities”.

Immediately after the surgery, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Phan said: “This is the most advanced technique currently for coronary artery surgery, even more advanced is that with a small incision of 6-8 cm on the left side of the chest (MICS CABG - no sternum incision, no use of extracorporeal circulation) we can perform bypasses using all arteries. This is a technique that currently in Vietnam, not many hospitals have implemented. We hope that after this successful surgery, this new technique will be developed and applied in many other hospitals across the country so that patients can access the most advanced treatment methods.”

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Phan, to perform the MICS CABG technique, it requires modern equipment that meets the requirements of surgery and a team of highly skilled and proficient professionals. “Currently, Hospital 175 has all the necessary equipment for advanced surgeries, a standard operating room system, a team of well-trained professionals, and the hospital's leadership always cares, directs and creates the best conditions for training and technical development. That helps us feel secure in cooperating with the hospital to implement this new technique,” said Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Phan.

It is known that the Cardiovascular Center of BVQY175 regularly coordinates and cooperates with experts from prestigious hospitals, institutes and universities at home and abroad to implement many difficult and complex techniques and has a solid and systematic investment in terms of staff, facilities, equipment, etc. By regularly implementing modern techniques, the Cardiovascular Center of BVQY175 is gradually striving to catch up with the development of large, traditional cardiovascular centers in the country and approaching the development of science and technology in the world, contributing to improving the quality of treatment, bringing more choices to cardiovascular patients.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Truong Dinh Cam, Deputy Director of the Hospital and Director of the Cardiovascular Center of BVQY175, up to now, the picture of surgical treatment of coronary artery disease has been almost completely implemented at the Cardiovascular Center of BVQY175. In the future, BVQY175 will continue to promote cooperation, investment and full development in the fields of "Treatment - Rehabilitation - Prevention" to increasingly improve and enhance the quality of care and service for soldiers and people coming to the hospital for medical examination and treatment./.

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