Basic TAVI Workshop at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok: Advancing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

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Posted in Slider, Workshop

The Basic TAVI Workshop held at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, was a landmark educational event that brought together emerging cardiovascular specialists across ASEAN to deepen their understanding and technical proficiency in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). The workshop was expertly chaired by Dr. Nattawut, a renowned Thai interventional cardiologist and educator in structural heart interventions.

Siriraj Hospital

2 days 1 night at Millenium Hilton Hotel Bangkok.

World-Class Training in a Historic Institution

Siriraj Hospital, Thailand’s oldest and most prestigious teaching hospital, provided an excellent environment for hands-on learning. With its legacy of clinical excellence and cutting-edge facilities, the hospital hosted young cardiologists and trainees eager to refine their skills in the evolving field of structural heart disease.

Comprehensive Curriculum: From Basics to Bedside

The Basic TAVI Workshop focused on a structured, practical curriculum that included:

  • Pathophysiology and Patient Selection for severe aortic stenosis
  • CT Planning and Valve Sizing
  • Device Types and Access Routes
  • Step-by-Step TAVI Procedure
  • Complication Management
  • Live Case Demonstrations and simulation-based training

Participants had the opportunity to observe real-time transcatheter valve deployment and interact directly with experienced faculty members during debriefing sessions.

Mentorship by Dr. Nattawut and Structural Heart Experts

Dr. Nattawut’s leadership was pivotal in creating an engaging, learner-centered environment. His clear teaching style, rich procedural experience, and commitment to nurturing regional talent made the workshop especially impactful.

His message was clear: “TAVI is no longer the future—it’s the present. Mastering the basics ensures safer outcomes and stronger collaboration across ASEAN.”

Bangkok Hospitality Meets High-Tech Learning

The charm of Bangkok added a unique flavor to the event. From authentic Thai cuisine to riverside evening walks near the Chao Phraya River, participants enjoyed a balance of professional growth and cultural enrichment.

With Dr Nattawut & Dr Narathip from Siriraj Hospital Bankok and 2 Vietnam consultant cardiologists, 1 Taipei Consultant Cardiologist standing beside me! 2 medical student from UM on right side (Black scrubs)

Conclusion

The Basic TAVI Workshop at Siriraj Hospital, chaired by Dr. Nattawut, stands as a model for how focused, regional training can elevate cardiovascular care across borders. As TAVI becomes increasingly accessible throughout Southeast Asia, foundational workshops like this ensure that quality and safety remain at the core of its expansion.

Lunch at IconSiam Bangkok.

AFCC 2025 in Penang: A Heartfelt Reunion of Knowledge, Friendships & Flavours

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Posted in Conference, Slider
AFCC 2025

The ASEAN Federation of Cardiology Congress AFCC 2025 held in Penang, Malaysia was nothing short of extraordinary — a beautiful blend of cutting-edge cardiovascular science, warm friendships, and irresistible local cuisine. (AFCC 2025)

With Dato Dr Amin Ariff, Senior Consultant Cardiologist, Datuk Dr Shaiful Azmi Yahaya, CCO IJN, Dr David Yong Consultant Cardiologist from Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur!

Held at the heart of this vibrant island, AFCC 2025 attracted leading cardiologists, researchers, and healthcare professionals from across the ASEAN region and beyond. The conference featured world-class lectures, engaging panel discussions, and insightful workshops, reinforcing AFCC’s reputation as the premier cardiovascular event in Southeast Asia.

Strengthening Bonds and Building Networks

Beyond the lectures, AFCC 2025 was a wonderful reunion of old friends and colleagues. Whether reconnecting during sessions or over coffee breaks, the atmosphere was filled with camaraderie, laughter, and shared passion for improving heart health. The spirit of regional collaboration was palpable — a reminder that medicine is not just science, but also community.

Thanks to Norvatis for Thursday dinner and Novo Nordisk for evening tea!

Thanks to Servier – A Valued Partner

A heartfelt thank you to Servier for their generous sponsorship and continued commitment to cardiovascular education and patient care. Their support made this congress more impactful and allowed participants to access high-quality content and experiences. Stayed at Iconic Marjorie Hotel, Penang, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel for 3 nights!

Great catchup with ex-HSAJB friends, Dr Neerusha echocardiologist, Dr Ng Wee Pang & Dr Kenneth future EP, Dr Hazureen from cardio HSAJB!

Honored to share 2 e-poster from Dr Naemah from UiTM & Dr Azlan Shah Atan from IJN!

Penang – A Feast for the Heart and the Senses

Of course, no event in Penang is complete without its legendary street food. From char koay teow to Penang laksa and cendol, delegates savoured the island’s rich culinary heritage in between sessions. The mix of tradition, flavour, and hospitality truly made AFCC 2025 a unique cultural and scientific experience.

Looking Ahead

As AFCC 2025 comes to a close, we leave with full minds, fuller hearts, and perhaps slightly fuller stomachs too! The friendships rekindled, knowledge gained, and memories made will carry us forward in our mission to deliver better cardiovascular care across ASEAN.

Great catchup with friends at Dr Lee Tjen Jhung house at Penang!

Global Heart Failure Experts Lead Boehringer Ingelheim Workshop

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Posted in Workshop

Boehringer Ingelheim (BI), a global leader in cardiovascular innovation, hosted a prestigious Heart Failure Workshop in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, bringing together leading cardiologists, medical practitioners, and healthcare professionals to tackle the growing heart failure burden in the region.

The workshop featured internationally renowned heart failure specialists, including:

  • Professor Piotr Ponikowski (Poland), co-chair of the 2021 ESC Heart Failure Guidelines and a leading global authority on the pathophysiology and treatment of heart failure.
  • Professor John Atherton (Brisbane, Australia), Director of Cardiology at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and a prominent figure in heart failure research and policy.
  • Professor David Sim (Singapore), Senior Consultant Cardiologist at National Heart Centre Singapore and a regional leader in heart failure and advanced cardiac therapies.

Their participation underscored the global collaboration needed to address heart failure, especially in fast-growing healthcare environments like Vietnam.

Key Highlights of the Workshop:

  • Evidence-Based Updates: Professors Ponikowski, Atherton, and Sim provided insightful updates on heart failure diagnosis, pharmacological advancements, and the integration of the latest ESC and ACC guidelines into everyday clinical practice.
  • Focus on SGLT2 Inhibitors: Cutting-edge discussions focused on the clinical value of SGLT2 inhibitors such as empagliflozin in both HFrEF and HFpEF, supported by recent landmark trials.
  • Case-Based Learning: Real-world patient cases from both Vietnam and international settings were analyzed to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
  • Multidisciplinary Exchange: Participants engaged in panel discussions addressing treatment barriers, healthcare infrastructure gaps, and strategies to optimize outcomes in heart failure patients across Southeast Asia.

Strengthening Vietnam’s Cardiovascular Landscape

This workshop is part of Boehringer Ingelheim’s broader effort to empower local healthcare professionals through continuous medical education, with the ultimate goal of improving lives for patients with chronic cardiovascular conditions.

With consultant cardiologist from Singapore, Dr Jeremy Chai from National Heart Center Singapore, Dr Nithin from Woodlands Hospital & Dr Chan Po Fun from Mount Elizabeth Hospital Singapore!

Consultant Cardiologist from Malaysia: Dr Beni Isman Bin Rusani from KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital 2, Dr Mohd Ridzuan Bin Mohd Said from IIUM & Dr Sharimila Shanmugam from IJN!

Boehringer Ingelheim

About Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a research-driven pharmaceutical company with a strong focus on cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory diseases. Through innovation and partnership, BI is committed to advancing human health across the globe.

Quick Short Tour at Ho Chi Minh Vietnam

Tried Halal@Saigon the night before departure!

Stayed at VinPearl Landmark 81 Hotel, the tallest building in Vietnam! Even taller than Petronas Twin Tower!! Dining in the sky! My room was at Level 59, breakfast at level 66!

Glad to be back in Vietnam HCM after almost 15 years!

Second tallest building in SouthEast Asia!

Menarini GP Symposium 2025: Advancing Primary Care with Practical Clinical Insights in Johor Bahru

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Posted in Drug Talk

The Menarini GP Symposium 2025, held on 29th June 2025 at Amari Hotel, Johor Bahru, brought together a diverse panel of medical experts and general practitioners for a full-day event centred on practical, evidence-based updates relevant to daily clinical practice. Organized by A. Menarini Singapore Pte Ltd, the symposium aimed to empower front-line clinicians with the latest knowledge in multi-disciplinary patient care.

Menarini GP Symposium

The event opened with welcoming remarks by Dr. Tan Zi Han, Chairman of MMA Johor Branch, setting the tone for a day filled with interactive learning and collaboration.

I had the honour of joining as one of the invited speakers at Menarini GP Symposium and presented during the morning plenary alongside Dr. Winton Chong, Consultant ENT Specialist from Hospital Sultan Ismail. My talk focused on cardiovascular safety of COX-2 inhibitors, with an emphasis on bridging secondary and primary care seamlessly for improved patient outcomes.

The rest of the programme featured a series of impactful talks covering a broad range of specialties, including:

  • Allergic Rhinitis and ENT Updates by Dr. Winton Chong
  • Wound Healing and Scar Management by Dr. Lee Chin Yen and Dr. Angeline Tay
  • Cognitive Decline in the Elderly by Dr. Ng Chai Chen
  • Asthma and COPD Treatment Updates by Dr. Ng Khai Lip and Dr. Lim Jin Lee
  • Musculoskeletal Pain and NSAID Safety by Dr. Teoh Tek Jiunn
  • Atopic Dermatitis and Oxidative Stress by Dr. Sam Chian Hoon
  • Wound Management Strategies by Dr. Christopher Hanjian Sheng

This symposium served not only as a platform for scientific exchange but also as a meaningful opportunity for professional connection. It was a personal highlight to reconnect with many old friends and colleagues from Johor Bahru—many of whom I had not seen in years. There was a real sense of camaraderie and shared purpose throughout the day.

As a cardiologist from Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), I was grateful for the chance to contribute and learn from others. The engagement from the GP community was exceptional, and their dedication to ongoing learning is truly commendable.

The event concluded with group photos, networking over refreshments, and a renewed sense of shared commitment to advancing patient care.

A heartfelt thank you to Menarini for organizing such a well-curated symposium and for supporting continued medical education in Malaysia. I look forward to more collaborations in the future.

Optimizing Acid Suppression: Role of Proton Pump Inhibitors Like Nexium in Emergency Care

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Posted in IJN Talks

A focused educational session on acid suppressive therapy was recently delivered to the Emergency Department (ED) medical team at the National Heart Institute (IJN), highlighting the clinical role of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)—with particular emphasis on Nexium (esomeprazole).

Nexium

The talk covered the mechanism of action of PPIs in inhibiting gastric acid secretion, and their critical role in managing stress-related mucosal disease, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and NSAID-induced gastritis—all relevant scenarios in emergency and cardiology settings.

Discussions also addressed the onset of action, dosing strategies, and appropriate indications of Nexium, reinforcing the importance of targeted therapy to avoid overuse or misuse of PPIs, which can be associated with long-term risks such as hypomagnesemia, C. difficile infection, and osteoporosis.

This session aimed to empower IJN ED doctors with practical knowledge for evidence-based use of PPIs, ensuring optimal patient outcomes in acute care.

Thanks AZ for the opportunity & thanks Dr Farina, Dr Suhailan for attending!

Advancing Cardiovascular Care: Highlights from the IVUS-Guided PCI Workshop

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Posted in Slider, Workshop

On a recent weekend in Kuala Lumpur, Boston Scientific successfully organized IVUS-Guided PCI workshop. The event took place at the prestigious EQ Hotel and gathered esteemed interventional cardiologists to share expertise, review case studies, and promote the adoption of imaging-guided PCI techniques in clinical practice.

IVUS-Guided PCI Workshop

The IVUS-Guided PCI Workshop was chaired by two of Malaysia’s leading cardiovascular specialists—Dato’ Sri Dr Azhari Rosman and Datuk Dr Kumara, both representing the National Heart Institute (IJN). Their leadership underscored the importance of advanced imaging tools such as IVUS in improving PCI outcomes, particularly in complex coronary lesions.

The event featured distinguished external speakers including Dr Fam Jiang Ming from Singapore, who contributed international perspectives and valuable insights into contemporary imaging practices. Dato’ Dr Mohd Sapawi from Terengganu also played a key role in the discussions, sharing his clinical experience and reinforcing the relevance of IVUS in daily interventional work across various healthcare settings.

As part of the scientific agenda, I had the privilege of presenting a clinical case involving IVUS-guided ostial stenting, which demonstrated the precision and diagnostic value of IVUS in assessing lesion morphology and optimizing stent deployment—particularly in challenging anatomical locations. The case discussion fostered active engagement among the participants, highlighting the evolving role of imaging in enhancing procedural success and long-term patient outcomes.

This well-curated IVUS-Guided PCI Workshop served not only as a platform for knowledge sharing but also as a testament to the growing emphasis on evidence-based, image-guided interventions in cardiovascular care. Special thanks to Boston Scientific for organizing this meaningful educational event and to all participating faculty for their invaluable contributions.

Empagliflozin in Focus: A Night of Insight at EMVOLUTION 2025

omegakimia@yahoo.com
Posted in Drug Talk

On the evening of 10th May 2025, I had the pleasure of speaking at EMVOLUTION, an educational empagliflozin workshop hosted by Qualitas Health in collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim, held at the Royale Chulan Damansara. The event, themed “Empagliflozin’s Revolutionary Management in CRM Continuum”, gathered healthcare professionals for a dynamic discussion on the evolving landscape of chronic disease management.

I was honoured to present on “Managing the ‘Tough Guys’: Patients with Co-morbidities,” where I shared practical approaches to handling complex patient profiles—particularly those with overlapping cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic conditions. As we continue to embrace newer therapies like empagliflozin, it’s clear that we’re entering a new era of patient-centric, multi-disciplinary care.

Dr. Wong Mun Hoe from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur followed with a compelling session titled “The Silent Killer: CKD,” shining a spotlight on the silent burden of chronic kidney disease. We wrapped up with a lively panel discussion in the spirit of a “Tonight Show”, exchanging insights across specialties.

Thanks to all who attended and contributed to the rich dialogue. Events like these remind us of the importance of collaboration in advancing patient outcomes.