Aortic diseases, such as aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection, involve the weakening or tearing of the aorta, the body's largest artery. These conditions can lead to severe complications if left untreated.
Recognising the growing need for specialised and comprehensive aortic care, the NHCS established the Aortic Clinic in December 2023.
Led by Asst Prof Sivaraj P Govindasamy, Asst Prof Zameer Abdul Aziz, Consultants from the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the clinic serves patients diagnosed with aortic conditions, ensuring timely assessment, treatment, and follow-up care.
One-Stop Solution for Aortic Care
At the NHCS Aortic Clinic, patients benefit from comprehensive care that includes imaging assessments such as CT scans, MRIs, and echocardiograms. These essential assessments, along with diagnosis and treatment planning, all take place within the same setting. Based on the imaging results, specialists then evaluate disease progression and develop personalised, lifelong treatment plans, ensuring a holistic and seamless experience for patients.
A dedicated multidisciplinary team including aortic surgeons, advanced practice nurses, and specialists, work together to optimise patient outcomes. By consolidating expertise and resources, the clinic enhances patient care and streamlines treatment pathways.
Previously, cardiothoracic surgeons managed patients with aortic conditions and referred them to aortic specialists on a case-by-case basis. This new dedicated clinic now offers a structured referral system for seamless evaluation and follow-up.
The NHCS Aortic Clinic offers these customised treatment options, depending on the severity and complexity of the condition:
Open Aortic Surgery
| A traditional approach for treating advanced aortic diseases.
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Endovascular Surgery
| A minimally invasive procedure using imaging technology to repair aortic conditions from within the blood vessels.
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Hybrid Aortic Surgery
| A combination of open and endovascular techniques designed for particularly complex cases.
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Who is the Clinic For?
The NHCS Aortic Clinic primarily focuses on patients diagnosed with:
- Aortic aneurysm: A condition where the aortic wall weakens and bulges, increasing the risk of rupture. This balloon-like swelling can occur anywhere in the aorta and often shows no symptoms, complicating early detection. A large, rapidly growing aneurysm poses a serious risk of rupture or dissection, potentially causing severe bleeding and life-threatening shock.
- Aortic dissection: A tear in the aortic wall that can lead to life-threatening complications. It occurs when an injury affects the innermost layer of the aorta, allowing blood to flow between the layers and separate them. This can reduce or cut off blood supply to vital organs, potentially resulting in a heart attack, stroke, or death. Repairing the tear typically requires open-heart surgery.
- Other complex aortic conditions requiring long-term monitoring.
The clinic receives referrals from NHCS cardiologists, and public healthcare institutions including Changi General Hospital, Woodlands Health, and Sengkang General Hospital, with plans to expand to other institutions such as Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Given the growing number of cases, the clinic is expecting to manage 300 to 400 patients annually.
For patients with a strong family history of bicuspid aortic valve disease, aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection, early screening and monitoring are crucial. The clinic aims to expand screening services to help detect asymptomatic cases and initiate timely intervention.
Empowering Patients Through Education
Understanding aortic disease can be overwhelming for patients. To support them in their journey, the clinic intends to develop educational videos to enhance patient awareness about their condition, treatment options, and lifestyle modifications. Through active patient engagement in decision-making, the clinic ensures patients receive the best possible care for their long-term health.
The clinic operates once every fortnight, with plans to expand to weekly sessions as demand grows. With its patient-centric approach and state-of-the-art medical expertise, the NHCS Aortic Clinic remains committed to delivering exceptional aortic care and improving outcomes for patients with complex aortic diseases.
REFERENCESAortic Clinic. National Heart Centre Singapore. https://www.nhcs.com.sg/patient-care/specialties-andservices/pages/cardiothoracic-surgery/aortic-clinic.aspx Aortic Aneurysm. National Heart Centre Singapore. https://www.nhcs.com.sg/patient-care/conditions-treatments/aortic-aneurysm Aortic dissection. National Heart Centre Singapore. https://www.nhcs.com.sg/patient-care/conditions-treatments/aortic-dissection
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