For heart patients in the Visayas who have been deemed high-risk or inoperable, newer approaches in cardiovascular care are expanding treatment options beyond traditional open procedures.
There are now alternatives that change the whole field.
— Dr. Edgar Tay, Interventional Cardiologist, AHVC
At a media roundtable held at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Friday, April 17, 2026, specialists from Singapore’s Asian Heart & Vascular Centre (AHVC) outlined a coordinated care pathway for Cebuano patients seeking alternatives to conventional surgery, with a focus on integrating diagnostics, intervention, and recovery within a structured treatment window.
The session builds on earlier discussions around the Cebu forum, where AHVC specialists introduced emerging treatment approaches for complex cardiac cases, reflecting a broader shift toward minimally invasive care.
Expanding options for high-risk cardiac patients
As cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of mortality in the Philippines, many elderly or high-risk patients have historically been considered unsuitable for surgery.
Advances in interventional cardiology have increasingly focused on minimally invasive techniques, particularly for patients previously categorized as inoperable—an area where AHVC has concentrated its clinical approach.
“Our progress in cardiology is a continuous process, just like the transition from the Apollo missions to Artemis,” said Dr. Edgar Tay, an interventional cardiologist at AHVC. “We are always trying to push the boundaries because there are now alternatives that change the whole field.”
Through catheter-based interventions, AHVC specialists are able to address complex conditions such as aortic stenosis and mitral valve regurgitation without the need for open-heart surgery. Techniques such as intravascular lithotripsy, which uses specialized “shockwave” balloons to treat calcified arteries, are part of the treatment approaches discussed during the session.
Addressing stroke risk linked to AFib
The roundtable also highlighted atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart rhythm disorder that significantly increases stroke risk, particularly among older patients.
Dr. Pipin Kojodjojo, an electrophysiology specialist at AHVC, noted that treatment approaches are continuing to evolve toward less invasive and more efficient procedures.
“Cardiology is one of the rare fields in medicine that is constantly innovating,” he said. “Our goal is to do less open surgery, use more minimally invasive techniques, and get patients out of the hospital faster.”
Among these developments is Pulse Field Ablation (PFA), a newer technique used in cardiac rhythm treatment that utilizes electrical pulses to target affected tissue. AHVC also offers device-based interventions such as the Watchman implant, an option for patients who are unable to take long-term anticoagulants.
Coordinating care between Cebu and Singapore
While these procedures are performed in Singapore, AHVC outlined a coordinated referral and treatment process designed to streamline consultations, diagnostics, and interventions for patients traveling from Cebu.
Through its network across established medical centers, including Mount Elizabeth Novena and Gleneagles Hospital, AHVC facilitates a structured care pathway that allows evaluation, intervention, and recovery to be managed within a defined treatment period.
Connecting patients to evolving treatment options
The roundtable formed part of AHVC’s broader initiative to connect Cebu-based patients with emerging treatment approaches and subspecialty cardiovascular care available in regional medical centers.
By bringing the discussion to Cebu, AHVC highlighted how ongoing developments in cardiology are expanding the range of options available to patients who may not have previously qualified for conventional surgical procedures.
Additional information on the procedures discussed is available through AHVC’s official website: https://www.ahvc.com.sg
