Prof Chia Boon Lock receives the SMA Honorary ... - nuhcs
Prof Chia Boon Lock receives the SMA Honorary ... - nuhcs
Prof Chia Boon Lock receives the SMA Honorary ... - nuhcs
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Programme<br />
recovering from cardiac events such as a heart attack,<br />
interventional procedures like angioplasty, heart surgery (bypass,<br />
transplant or valvular) and congestive heart failure. This is to<br />
target <strong>the</strong> motivated individuals who want to reduce traditional<br />
cardiovascular risk factors. In NUH, we have also developed a<br />
dedicated smoking cessation programme<br />
In our experience, we are aware that many cardiac<br />
patients have high levels of stress and anxiety. Depression is<br />
prevalent after acute cardiac events, with 20 to 45 per cent<br />
of patients having significant depression after acute myocardial<br />
infarction (AMI). Depression is an independent risk factor<br />
for mortality in patients with AMI, or unstable angina. Several<br />
studies suggest improvement with cardiac rehabilitation<br />
intervention. Patients with depressive symptoms have a fivefold<br />
increased risk of non-completion of cardiac rehabilitation<br />
and <strong>the</strong>refore require enhanced attention and support. We<br />
have also dedicated a team to focus on neuropsychological<br />
aspect of <strong>the</strong>se patients.<br />
A review of 46 randomised trials of secondary<br />
prevention, in 18821 patients with coronary heart disease was<br />
recently conducted by <strong>the</strong> agency for Health care research and<br />
quality: Secondary prevention programs were demonstrated to<br />
reduce hospitalization, recurrent MI and long term mortality.<br />
Physicians can initiate <strong>the</strong> referral if <strong>the</strong>ir patient is appropriate<br />
for CRP in NUH.<br />
Please visit www.nuh.com.sg/_cardiac/<br />
ourServices_cardiacRehabilitation.htm or contact<br />
<strong>the</strong> CRP nurses for more information.<br />
Lai Shuet Ming – 67725563 / 95402582<br />
Rachel Chan Wang Hia – 67722436 / 95669078<br />
Ooi Lean See – 67722497 / 98028205<br />
(CRT) Therapy Course<br />
It is little wonder <strong>the</strong>refore that <strong>the</strong>re is much interest<br />
worldwide in <strong>the</strong> technique of performing CRT implants, which<br />
is more complex than a routine pacemaker implant. With <strong>the</strong><br />
generous support of St Jude Medical, <strong>the</strong> Cardiac Department at<br />
<strong>the</strong> National University Hospital was able to conduct <strong>the</strong> 1 st<br />
Singapore-Asia CRT implant course, which hosted foreign doctors<br />
from South Korea and <strong>the</strong> Philippines. Over <strong>the</strong> course of 3 days<br />
from 28 th till 30 th April 2008, live cases of CRT implant were<br />
performed, spaced apart by didactic lectures on <strong>the</strong> indications<br />
and trial evidence for such <strong>the</strong>rapy as well as methods for<br />
optimization of CRT devices post-implant. Led by course directors<br />
Dr Abdul Razakjr Omar and Dr Seow Swee Chong, <strong>the</strong> programme<br />
also included a practical session demonstrating optimization of <strong>the</strong><br />
devices using echocardiography.<br />
With overwhelmingly positive feedback from course<br />
participants, <strong>the</strong> Department is geared up to continue conducting<br />
such courses on a regular basis; sharing knowledge and<br />
experiences and fostering friendships with fellow cardiologists<br />
across <strong>the</strong> region.<br />
THI PULSE | 9