Heart Valve Disease
The National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) aims to provide comprehensive care from diagnosis to treatment for patients with heart valve disease.
The aging population has resulted in a significant increase in the number of patients with valvular heart disease. Patients with this disease may have been fortuitously diagnosed from an abnormal heart sound (Heart Murmur) during their visit to a doctor or have symptoms of the disease such as breathlessness, chest pain or dizzy spells. Over the past decade, our team has built up a strong clinical program to take care of patients.
Patients with heart valve disease are most often evaluated with taking a physical examination at the clinic and then subsequently undergo an echocardiographic imaging test (ultrasound of the heart) to diagnose this condition.
Upon understanding the severity of the heart valve condition, patients may be recommended to be monitored or to undergo treatment for their condition. Complex cases are discussed in our multi-disciplinary heart valve meeting where the optimal treatment options may be considered and/or recommended.
Echocardiography
Our echocardiographic team are experienced in heart valve imaging. We have dedicated structural heart and valve echocardiologists who are able to perform 2 dimension and 3 dimensional transthoracic and transesophageal imaging to provide detailed analysis of the valve condition. This team is well respected internationally for their academic contributions in teaching and research. In addition, we have a core laboratory which performs detailed echocardiograms for clinical trials and research.
Computed Tomography
Our computed tomography team consists of dedicated structural heart radiologists and cardiologists who are able to reconstruct CT images to plan for complex surgical and percutaneous treatments.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Apart from anatomical imaging, cardiac MRI is performed in some patients who need additional physiological information of valve and heart function. This provides more data to determine treatment strategies in patients with more complex disease.
Transcatheter Therapies
Our team is able to provide a variety of percutaneous heart valve treatments. Apart from providing clinical care, the team actively contributes to clinical research and education. We have also hosted, proctored and assisted other physicians in the building of transcatheter heart valve capability throughout South East Asia. The outcomes of the treatment have been published in peer reviewed journals. Treatment provided includes:
Severe aortic valve stenosis (narrowing)
- Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)
- Emergency Balloon aortic valvuloplasty
- Transcatheter aortic valve in valve treatment (treatment of previously deteriorated surgical heart valves)
Severe aortic valve regurgitation (leaking)
- Transcatheter paravalvular leak closure
- Special situations of aortic valve regurgitation
Mitral valve stenosis
- Balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PTMC/PTBV)
- Transcatheter mitral valve in valve treatment (treatment of previously deteriorated surgical heart valves)
Mitral valve regurgitation
- Transcatheter mitraclip mitral valve repair
Pulmonary valve regurgitation
- Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation
Pulmonary valve stenosis
- Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty
Surgical Treatment
Our surgical teams have the ability to perform complex valve treatment and have also published surgical techniques for improving patient care. The minimally invasive surgical programme is one good example and this provides a less invasive surgical approach for suitable patients.
The journey of heart valve disease management can be complex for some patients. This is made easier by our nurses and care coordinators who help patients cope through with their disease. They provide information as well as a listening ear to our patients and help them navigate through their course in the hospital.
Our heart valve team is involved in many aspects of research from device innovation, bench and basic research, biomarker discovery and clinical research. We collaborate with both local, regional and international centres and have published these results in well known cardiovascular journals. This ongoing work aims to provide the future for our heart valve patients. We deeply respect and value our patients who have participated in these research and made a significant impact to the current care of patients. We also hope that more would be keen to participate and pave the way to higher quality of lives in future.
The heart valve teams also work to provide up to date information through continuous medical education platforms such as GP symposium and talks. The team also lectures in local and global conferences to share experiences.
