World Heart Day (September 29): Outstanding achievements in cardiology in Dong Nai

The field of cardiology in Dong Nai has made significant strides. Many new and advanced techniques, previously available only at central-level hospitals, are now routinely applied at several hospitals within the province.

Mastering advanced cardiovascular techniques has helped "revive" and "repair" many hearts, eased the burden on higher-level hospitals, and elevated the standing of Dong Nai's healthcare sector.

From coronary intervention...

The Department of Interventional Cardiology at Dong Nai General Hospital was established in 2014 and was among the earliest to be equipped with two DSA (digital subtraction angiography) systems. Since then, the department has successfully implemented numerous advanced cardiology procedures, including coronary angiography and intervention, atrial septal defect closure, transcatheter closure of congenital heart defects, pacemaker implantation, defibrillator implantation, and cerebral vascular intervention.

A heart surgery case at Thong Nhat General Hospital. Photo: Hanh Dung

On average, the department performs approximately 600 vascular-cardiac interventions and 30-50 pacemaker implantations annually. This endeavor has helped improve the survival rate of patients with acute myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, arrhythmias, severe heart failure, etc.

Meanwhile, the Department of Interventional Cardiology at Thong Nhat General Hospital is regarded as one of the four most successful cardiology satellite units of Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the leadership of Pham Quang Huy (Specialist Level I) and Tran Minh Thanh (Specialist Level II), the department has examined and treated over 231,000 cardiovascular patients during its more than 10 years of operation. Many critical cases have been successfully treated in a timely manner.

Tran Minh Thanh, Specialist Level II and Head of the Thong Nhat General Hospital's Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology Department, said the department routinely performs a range of procedures, including percutaneous coronary angiography and intervention; peripheral vascular angiography and intervention; transcatheter heart valve intervention; temporary and permanent pacing; electrophysiological studies; and radiofrequency ablation of rapid arrhythmia foci.

Not only the two provincial hospitals mentioned above, but also private hospitals such as University Medical Shing Mark Hospital and regional hospitals like Long Khanh Regional General Hospital, have successfully implemented Interventional Cardiology Units. In late 2024, Binh Phuoc General Hospital officially implemented interventional cardiology techniques with the support of the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City. Recently, Dinh Quan Regional General Hospital has implemented myocardial infarction treatment with thrombolytic drugs. This undertaking has contributed to saving many cases of acute myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, reducing the mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease.

...to endoscopic heart surgery

While open-heart surgery is considered a complex procedure, endoscopic heart surgery is significantly more challenging. To perform this technique, in addition to having modern infrastructure and equipment, it requires strong teamwork, close coordination, and seamless collaboration among hospital departments at every stage, especially between the surgical team and the anesthesia and resuscitation team.

The team of doctors and technicians must possess a high level of expertise, strong technical skills, meticulousness, dexterity, alertness, and the ability to maintain absolute concentration throughout the surgical process.

With a strategic vision, the healthcare sector, in general, and Dong Nai’s two provincial-level hospitals, in particular, have focused on training and attracting high-quality personnel and leading cardiology experts in recent years. Since the first open-heart surgery was performed in late 2016, Thong Nhat General Hospital and Dong Nai General Hospital have successfully carried out over 250 heart surgeries, including numerous endoscopic procedures.

Dr. Vo Tuan Anh, Head of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at Dong Nai General Hospital, said, "Endoscopic heart surgery brings many benefits to patients." These include small incisions, reduced pain during and after surgery, a faster recovery time, and a high aesthetic value, especially for female patients.

The theme of World Heart Day 2025 is "Don't miss a beat" to raise public awareness about cardiovascular diseases and call for joint efforts among the Government, the health sector, social organizations, and individuals in promoting a healthy lifestyle to protect the heart.

Dr. Bui Van Linh, Specialist Level I, Acting Head of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Thong Nhat General Hospital, shared: After each surgery, doctors closely monitor the patient's recovery process, instructing patients to take their medication correctly, exercise regularly, and follow up according to schedule. Many patients with difficult circumstances also receive financial assistance from benefactors mobilized by the hospital.

To meet the increasing demand for cardiovascular healthcare from people inside and outside the province, Dong Nai General Hospital is moving towards establishing a Cardiovascular Center based on the three existing departments: Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, and Thoracic-Cardiovascular Surgery. At the same time, it will continue to deploy the Arrhythmia Treatment Unit and the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, aiming to complete the basic framework of the Cardiovascular Center by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

Nguyen Van Binh, Deputy Director of the Dong Nai Department of Health, emphasized that the province’s progress in cardiovascular treatment has helped reduce the number of patients needing referral to higher-level hospitals, shortened waiting times, lowered costs, and minimized the risk of complications caused by delayed treatment.

In the time ahead, Dong Nai will continue working toward the completion of specialized cardiovascular centers and expanding professional collaboration, training, and knowledge transfer between higher- and lower-level hospitals. These efforts aim to enhance access to high-quality medical services, particularly for residents in remote and underserved areas, and to foster a healthier community.

By Hanh Dung – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho