Minister of Health lauds commitment to patient care and deliverance of high-quality cardiac services with out-of-the-heart defibrillator technology that avoids intrusion to the heart and veins, minimising the risk of complications.
Sultan Idris Shah Hospital hosted its inaugural workshop on minimally invasive cardiac defibrillator device insertion as part of its efforts in medical advancement in cardiac treatment in the region.
The event was attended by cardiologists from Malaysia and Vietnam, focusing on sharing the latest developments in the field, while fostering collaborative partnerships in Southeast Asia. Besides addressing the rise of sudden cardiac arrest, this, along with future workshops, are part of the hospital’s long-term vision: to strengthen clinical expertise in minimally invasive cardiac treatment and to enhance Malaysia’s standing in global healthcare.
“I fully support this initiative by Sultan Idris Shah Hospital, which exemplifies our collective commitment to advancing patient care in Malaysia. Delivering high-quality cardiac services is not just a clinical imperative, but a shared responsibility, one that demands a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach and unwavering leadership at every level of the healthcare system. As such, I have tasked the new Director General and Deputy Director General (Medical) to prioritise timely, high-quality cardiac care in Sultan Idris Shah Hospital.” said Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Dr. Haji Dzulkefly Ahmad.
He added,” This also augurs well for Sultan Idris Shah Hospital which was recently recognized as one of the Centre of Excellence (COE) for cardiac care in MOH"
Malaysia’s expertise in minimally invasive cardiac defibrillator device insertion makes us well equipped in training *electrophysiologists from other Southeast Asian countries. An increase of 59% cardiac defibrillator device insertion from 2023 to 2024 in Sultan Idris Shah Hospital shows growing demand for such therapies in Malaysia.
The workshop’s modules included expert-led lectures, hands-on training and interactive discussions – including knowledge sharing on current technology advancements, clinical trial data, patient selection as well as techniques for successful and safe implant.
"Being part of this workshop has been a meaningful experience, providing not just valuable knowledge and skills, but a greater sense of confidence in offering a safer treatment option particularly for high-risk patients. I’ve gained important insights today and plan to apply this procedure in my practice back in Vietnam,” said Dr. Nguyen Xuan Tuan, Cardiologist, Hanoi Heart Hospital, Vietnam
The workshop was also attended by Dr. Mohd. Asyiq Al-Fard Bin Mohd. Raffali, a cardiologist from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Medical Centre, who highlighted its importance for future clinical practice, particularly in managing patients on chronic dialysis, where vessel preservation is critical and in younger, more active patients, as the technique helps minimize long- term risks to their development and well-being.
Sultan Idris Shah Hospital plans to regularly host these training programs, inviting regional participation and beyond to solidify Malaysia’s role as a regional leader in innovative cardiac care training.
By building on this initiative, the hospital also seeks to elevate patient lifestyle, especially with youth patients, by allowing them freedom to lead a more active lifestyle which is one of the key benefits of minimally invasive cardiac defibrillator device insertion.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Cardiovascular disease remains a critical healthcare challenge in Malaysia. According to the Department of Statistics, *ischemic heart disease, which could lead to cardiac arrest, claimed 12,648 lives in 2023, accounting for 17.6 per cent of medically certified deaths and ranking as the nation's second-leading cause of death. Aside from Ischemic Heart Disease, genetic and congenital heart diseases are also contributors to sudden cardiac arrest cases caused by lethal heart rhythm disturbances.
Alarmingly, cardiac arrest fatalities are not confined to the elderly: as of 2022, about 35 per cent of these deaths occurred in those under 60. There are also a significant number of cases involving the youth and those who do not exhibit any signs before experiencing cardiac arrest.
This indicates that there is a compelling need to raise awareness among the public who often overlook the seriousness of health screening, especially at a younger age or before exhibiting any signs of heart problems. Those with symptoms of palpitations and fainting spells should be encouraged to come forward for a comprehensive medical checkup especially in those with a family history of sudden cardiac death, with symptomatic heart failure or survivors of heart attacks.
Meanwhile, survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests remain staggeringly low at 4.8 per cent, highlighting a pressing need for improved approaches. With a high fatality rate close to 95% if not treated promptly, this highlights a pressing need for improved approaches to early screening and therapies
Ischemic Heart Disease is heart damage caused by narrowed heart arteries that reduce blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.
Electrophysiologists are cardiologists who specialise in arrhythmia and the electricity of the heart.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the sudden loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heart rhythm.
