Indholdsfortegnelse for PULSE Issue 45 i PULSE Magazine

National University Heart Centre Singapore NUHCS is an academic, national specialist centre that brings together the resources, expertise and capabilities in the areas of Cardiology, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery to better meet the needs of the growing number of patients with heart disease and raise the future generation of medical professionals. As a national heart centre in Singapore, NUHCS has honed two Peaks of Excellence and six Core Clinical Programmes that provide leading care and treatment strategies for patients: CORE CLINICAL PROGRAMMES Acute Coronary Syndrome Programme Congenital and Structural Heart Disease Programme Heart Failure & Cardiomyopathy Programme Heart Rhythm Programme Vascular Medicine and Therapy Programme Women’s Heart Health Programme INSTITUTIONAL PEAKS OF EXCELLENCE Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (MICTS) Aortic Centre NUHCS SERVICES IN SINGAPORE Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI): Research Pillar of NUHCS…

Feeling unusually breathless or constantly fatigued? It might be more than just stress. These symptoms could be signs of Mitral Valve Regurgitation (MR) - a heart condition where blood leaks backwards in the heart, making it harder to circulate blood and, if left untreated, could potentially lead to heart failure. The good news? Less invasive treatments are available to improve this condition, especially for patients who are not suitable candidates for an open-heart surgery. Mitral valve acts as a door that connects the heart’s left atrium and left ventricle. What is Mitral Valve Regurgitation Marked by symptoms of fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath during exercise or even at rest, MR happens when the mitral valve - which controls blood flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle -…

At the heart of healthcare, leadership is not just about managing departments – it is about shaping lives. Dr Anand Ambhore, Head, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) @ Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH), embodies this philosophy. A passionate clinician, educator and leader, Dr Anand has dedicated his career to advancing cardiovascular care. Now, with his wealth of expertise and his forward-looking vision, he is taking the reins of cardiology at NTFGH, guiding the team through the evolving landscape of heart care in Singapore. In this issue, PULSE speaks with Dr Anand as he shared more about his experience and what he hopes to achieve in the next few years. PULSE: What are your top priorities in your role as Head of Cardiology,…

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of disability and death worldwide. In Singapore, CAD accounts for one in five deaths – making it the second leading cause of mortality locally. With heart attack cases projected to triple in the next 25 years, the urgency to detect and prevent heart disease before it strikes has never been more critical. An especially worrying trend is that many people are living with early signs of CAD unknowingly. These individuals feel fine, have no symptoms, and may even be classified as “low-risk”. However, low risk does not mean no risk. A hidden threat in “healthy” people Did you know that nearly one in 10 Singaporeans who have suffered a heart attack do not have typical risk factors? A local study…

Dear readers, As we present this latest issue of the PULSE newsletter, it is a timely reminder that this newsletter has served as an important communication platform for the Centre with the wider Singapore medical community for the past 24 years. At the heart of the NUHCS mission lies the national commitment to elevate the standard of cardiovascular practice, introduce advanced therapies, develop innovative solutions, and institute a new model of care for cardiovascular medicine. Every issue of PULSE therefore allows us to share our experiences, clinical advancements and research progress with fellow healthcare professionals, in the hope of fostering collaboration and mutual learning in service of better patient care. In this issue, we highlight the growing role of cardiac intensive care and rehabilitation in managing critically ill patients with…

On 6 December 2024, the National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) hosted a heartwarming fundraising event that brought together compassionate individuals in support of a meaningful cause. In appreciation of their generosity, donors who made in-person donations received a special handmade token – a crocheted pouch or keychain, meticulously crafted with love by the dedicated staff of NUHCS’ Electrophysiology1 and Medical Technologist2 teams. These are the same professionals who work behind the scenes to care for patients with heart rhythm conditions - using precision and technology to keep hearts beating strong. This time, they have placed that same dedication beyond their frontline duties into every loop and stitch, to raise funds for the same financially disadvantaged patients that they care for. The intricate details in every handcrafted piece reflected the…

Did you know that 1 in 3 heart attack victims are women? Traditionally perceived as a men’s disease, Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)1 is, however, the leading cause of death among women2. Despite its alarming prevalence, many females are unaware of or diminishing the life-threatening risks of CVD, highlighting the urgent need for greater public education and advocacy around women’s heart health. The Subtle Symptoms Women Shouldn’t Ignore On a recent CAPITAL 958 Mandarin radio show, Dr Sim Hui Wen, Consultant, Department of Cardiology, NUHCS, spotlighted on the less obvious heart attack symptoms experienced by women - including fatigue and unusual upper body pain - which often leads to them being downplayed, or even mistaken as symptoms of stress, ageing or flu. Scan to read this Channel NewsAsia article to discover surprising women’s health…

The Singapore Health Quality Service Awards (SHQSA) was established in 2011 as Singapore’s first dedicated platform aimed at honouring outstanding healthcare professionals from across the healthcare sector, who have delivered quality care and excellent patient experience. Held on 13 February 2025, this year’s ceremony was graced by Guest-of-Honour, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, with a total of 4,752 awards presented to individuals from 45 healthcare institutions and organisations. SHAPING NUHCS INTO A NATIONAL HEART CENTRE THROUGH EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP Among the 14 individuals conferred the prestigious Superstar Award, the highest accolade under the “Exemplar Leaders – Clinician” category was awarded to Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Advisor, National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS). This award is a testament of Prof Tan’s exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment towards advancing the field of cardiology across…

PULSE How does it feel to be recognised for your work in clinical research? Jolene: I am honoured and deeply grateful to receive this award. It means a lot to be acknowledged for doing what I love – supporting patients through their recovery and providing them with the best possible experience during clinical trials. PULSE What inspired your journey into clinical research? Jolene: My journey into this exciting field started when I took on an internship at the National Cancer Centre Singapore in 2018. During my internship, I witnessed the real-world translation of potential treatments, which I learnt about back in school, and saw up close the impact it had on the lives of the patients. This inspired me to explore a career in clinical research. I have been fortunate…

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD This award honours Clinicians, Allied Health Professionals or Nurses who are the drivers of change, and have significantly contributed to research projects or initiatives to elevate patient-centred services. EXCELLENCE AWARD This award recognises individuals who have significantly contributed towards NUHS’ clinical, research and education missions with major impact, leading to improved standards of care, exceptional professional healthcare education and/or outstanding health research. YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD This award recognises young NUHS staff who have demonstrated excellence in their professional fields, shown instances of promising leadership skills, and are exemplary role models for those around them. New Appointments…

PUBLICATIONS A deep-learning retinal aging biomarker for cognitive decline and incident dementia. Alzheimers Dement. 2025 Mar;21(3):e14601. Sim MA, Tham YC, Nusinovici S, Quek TC, Yu M, Xue CC, Chee ML, Peng QS, Tan ESJ, Chan SP, Cai Y, Chong EJY, Tan BY, Venketasubramanian N, Hilal S, Lai MKP, Choi H, Richards AM, Cheng CY, Chen CLH. A multivariate and retrospective analysis of the impact of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in Open-Heart surgery. Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 28;14(1):29534. Sharma S, Nah JH, Siddarth V, Lai H, Liang S, Ong ZX, Wu D, Luo HD, Chang G, Kang GS, Kofidis T, Sazzad F. A Multi-Center Prospective Study on the Healing of Neuro-Ischemic Ulcers in Singapore: A Prospective Cohort Study. Health Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 24;8(1):e70332. Meng L, Bishnoi P, Lo ZJ, Yong E,…