01/08/2025
🔬✨ A New Milestone in Cardiac Care at Northern Heart Hospital
On 29th July 2025, our team successfully performed Northern Heart Hospital’s first-ever Percutaneous Transvenous Mitral Commissurotomy (PTMC) — marking a major step forward in minimally invasive heart treatment.
This breakthrough procedure was led by Dr. Chen Lean Seng, Visiting Consultant Cardiologist. Before and during the PTMC, Dr. Barakath Badusha Bin Abdul Kareem performed a Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TOE) to assess the patient’s mitral valve and guide the approach.
These two cardiologists are part of the NHH Valve Team, a multidisciplinary unit which also includes Prof. Dato' Dr. HJ Basheer Ahamed Bin Adbul Kareem as one of its key members. This PTMC (Percutaneous Transvenous Mitral Commissurotomy) case marks a significant milestone as it is not only the first PTMC procedure performed at NHH, but also third cases discussed and managed by the newly-formed NHH Valve Team.
The NHH Valve Team was officially established in June 2025, with the aim of bringing together expertise across multiple subspecialties to provide comprehensive care for patients with valvular heart diseases. This successful PTMC reflects the team's collaborative effort and marks the beginning of a new chapter in interventional cardiology at NHH.
🫀 What is PTMC?
A non-surgical technique to open up narrowed mitral valves (mitral stenosis) using a balloon catheter — helping restore blood flow and relieve symptoms.
🩻 What is TOE?
An ultrasound probe inserted via the esophagus to provide clearer, more detailed imaging of the heart’s internal structures.
We’re proud of this clinical advancement and grateful to our expert team for bringing the best in cardiac care to our patients.
