Brunei achieves another medical milestone

Another medical milestone was reached in Brunei when the first Angioplasty procedure was successfully performed Sunday at the Gleneagles JPMC Cardiac Centre in Jerudong.

The patient, Awang Haji Mustapha bin Awang Besar of Kampung Perpindahan Lambak Kanan was brought to the Cardiovascular Theatre exactly at 8 am.

Yesterday’s operation was a groundbreaking procedure because the centre introduced the latest and most effective techniques in angioplasty by using Drug-Eluting Stents.

These are stents which have polymer platform-containing special drugs elute slowly over a period of time to prevent the formation of scar tissue.

This procedure was conducted by a team of cardiologist experts and experienced nurses led by Dr. Michael Lim, well recognised in the International Cardiology Fraternity.

Angioplasty is an established, effective therapy used to treat blockages and blood clots in the coronary arteries.

The balloon is then inflated, compressing the blockage and enlarging the inner diameter of the blood vessel so blood can flow more easily.

Subsequently, the balloon was deflated and the catheter removed.  A special metallic device called a stent is then placed at the narrowed site and expanded with a balloon.

With the stent fully expanded, the balloon is then removed.  This procedure took only 17 minutes to perform because of the latest medical technology available at the centre.

The Cardiologist, Dr. Michael Lim said the patient will be expected to be up and about within 2 days after the operation.

Awang Haji Mustapha will spend a further two days in the Intensive Care Unit of the centre where he will be closely monitored before being allowed to return home. He was the first of six patients to undergo the angioplasty treatment.

All these initiatives and procedures bring the centre one step closer in fulfilling its vision of becoming an internationally recognised comprehensive Cardiovascular Centre, said an official.