National Heart Institute (IJN) Is Asia's First To Perform 'Perceval S' Procedure

By Voon Miaw Ping KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- Heartiest congratulations are in order for the National Heart Institute (IJN). Chalking up, yet another clinical milestone, the IJN has become the first hospital in Asia to perform the 'Sorin Perceval' sutureless heart valve implantation procedure. Sorin Perceval or Perceval S is a new sutureless aortic valve prosthesis with a unique self-anchoring frame which enables surgeons to replace the diseased valve without suturing it into place and obviating the need for using time-consuming, conventional suturing techniques. The less invasive technique -- the latest innovation in the heart valve technolgy -- was successfully performed two days ago on two IJN patients, namely a 66-year-old woman and a 67-year-old man. IJN deputy chief executive officer and chief cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub led a five-member team in performing the surgeries. The team was assisted by Dr Graham McCrystal from New Zealand and Italy's Dr Mattia Glauber. "The two patients are currently recovering very well and are out of the intensive care unit," IJN clinical director of adult surgery Dr Jeswant Dillon told a news conference here Thursday. He said the sutureless valve technology allowed for the removal of the diseased valve, precise positioning, fast release and implantation. "Therefore, it significantly reduces surgical time and provides patients with better outcome and recovery," he added. The procedure is highly recommended for patients aged 65 and above, while the valve has a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years. To date, 26 cardiac surgery centres throughout Europe have implanted the Perceval S valve in over 650 patients. -- BERNAMA