Prof Chia Boon Lock receives the SMA Honorary ... - nuhcs

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NMRC Winning Grant Dr Chen Lin Yee, Cardiac Dept @ NUS, NUH “Identification of Novel Genetic Determinants of Atrial Fibrillation in an Asian Population” is a continuation of my research focus that started when I was undergoing cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology training at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN. With start-up funds from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and the support of the Cardiac Department, NUH, and Department of Medicine, NUS, I started to lay the groundwork for this project in August 2006. The process was made significantly easier through the guidance and mentorship of Prof Chia Kee Seng, Center for Molecular Epidemiology, and Assoc Prof Ling Lieng Hsi, Cardiac Department, NUH. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, reaching epidemic proportions in the aging population, and resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic burden. In a subset of younger patients (
1. Identify disease susceptibility polymorphisms for AF using candidate gene association analysis 2. Define interaction of genetic factors with acquired factors in modifying AF risk and phenotypic expression 3. Pave the way toward establishing a larger cohort to facilitate genome-wide association analysis in the future With preliminary data derived from this cohort of lone AF patients, I successfully obtained a National Medical Research Council grant that will support this research effort for the next three years. Presently, approximately 100 lone AF patients have been enrolled; I anticipate the enrollment process will be accelerated through collaboration of colleagues in National Heart Center and Tan Tock Seng Hospital. In addition, mutation scanning of candidate genes such as potassium and sodium channel genes is underway. This project would not have been possible if it was not for the support of the following: Chief, Cardiac Department, NUH, Assoc Prof Tan Huay Cheem; Head, Department of Medicine, NUS, Prof Ho Khek Yu; my mentors, Prof Chia and Assoc Prof Ling; colleagues in the Cardiac Department, NUH; research nurses, Ms. Quay Chwee Neo and Ms. Loh Fong Chee; collaborators in National Heart Center and Tan Tock Seng Hospital; the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the National Medical Research Council. Ultimately, the success of this project will not only advance our understanding of a significant cardiovascular disease, but also underscore the feasibility and importance of multi-center collaboration in Singapore. CIT Beijing meetingDr Adrian Low, Cardiac Dept @ NUH CIT Beijing 2008 (China Interventional Therapeutics, Beijing) is an annual major meeting for interventional cardiologists. It was held this year from 19 to 23 March at the Beijing Interventional Convention Center. We were privileged to be given an opportunity for live-transmission to showcase our interventional techniques. The live-transmission was held on the morning of the 2nd day (20th March). We had 2 teams on hand: Prof Tan Huay Cheem and Dr Lim Ing Haan; Dr Adrian Low and Prof Ronald Lee. As was traditional, there was an introductory segment to Singapore; fusing a blend of Singapore skyline, cultural activities, and images of our esteemed interventionists, to a pulsating soundtrack. The montage was expertly executed, earning praises even from professional media. Prof Tan started the live-transmission with a case of “instent restenosis”. This patient had had previous stenting to the heart artery but returned because of re-narrowing of the same segment. This was addressed with a novel drug-eluting balloon. This balloon is coated with a medication that inhibits recurrent renarrowing of the heart artery and has been shown in a recent published study to be effective at least in patients with narrowing of the leg arteries. The blockage was expertly cleared and treated with this new device with good results. In contrast to the usual placement of another medicated stent, this approach does away with deploying an additional metal coat which may have deleterious consequences. The second case was an intervention of a saphenous vein graft. Traditionally, this is addressed using a distal protection device, either a filter wire or balloon occlusion device, to catch the anticipated downstream flow of clots and other debritus. We however demonstrated the safety and efficacy of a new proximal protection device. This was a special catheter with an inflatable balloon at its tip that can be inflated to seal off the saphenous vein graft, thereby preventing flushing of debris downstream. An advantage of this is the virtual protection from all embolism, even with initial passage of our guide wire across the blockage. This case was similarly well received. In addition, it was the first time that a live-transmission of such as device was demonstrated regionally. The audience’s curiosity was obviously piqued. As usual, there was the usual banter by the chairperson and other prominent interventional cardiologists. Our doctors joined in the spirited exchange and responded well to the variety of questions fielded. The teams enjoyed themselves doing difficult cases under the glare of the media, and the live-transmission was all too soon over. As the day came to a close, Prof Tan made his sojourn to Beijing, representing our interventional cardiology team and of course NUH. THI PULSE | 15
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Prof Chia Boon Lock receives the SMA Honorary ... - nuhcs

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