Myongji Hospital has begun performing TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation), one of the most difficult cardiovascular procedures.

The hospital was certified as a TAVI provider by the Ministry of Health and Welfare last year and has since been performing TAVI procedures in earnest, with Professor Seo Yong-seong and his team (Professor Lee Ji-hyun of the Department of Cardiology, Professor Kim Heung-soo of the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, and Professor Kim Jung-won of the Department of Radiology) successfully performing the procedure on patients with severe aortic stenosis.

TAVI is a treatment that replaces an artificial heart valve through an artery through the thigh without making an incision in the chest of a patient with severe aortic stenosis. It is mainly utilized for elderly and high-risk patients who have a high surgical burden. The procedure and recovery process is short, significantly reducing the risk of pain and complications.

Aortic valve stenosis, one of the leading causes of sudden death, is characterized by symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, and fainting, and is known to cause death within two years in severe cases. It requires aggressive treatment, and TAVI is considered the only solution for patients who are too elderly or have underlying medical conditions to undergo surgery.

Myongji Hospital, the only hospital in northwestern Gyeonggi Province to provide TAVI procedures, won the government’s certification by meeting stringent standards, such as specialized personnel and facilities for integrated cardiovascular care and excellent annual cardiovascular disease treatment results.

The TAVI procedure team, led by Professors Seo Yong-seong and Jeong Hyun-joo of the Department of Cardiology, has established a collaborative system involving cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, anesthesiology and pain medicine departments, and radiology. The team makes the most of a hybrid surgery center with an angio room equipped with advanced imaging equipment, operating rooms, and laboratories to protect against the golden time of cardiovascular disease.

"As the number of patients with severe aortic stenosis is increasing due to population aging, treatment based on TAVI is a global trend," Professor Seo said. "We will continue to provide the best care and treatment to maintain Myongji Hospital's reputation for excellent cardiovascular disease treatment."

Myungji Hospital, which is emerging as a mecca for cardiovascular treatment, provides integrated treatment from cardiac surgery to procedures and rehabilitation under the leadership of Dr. Kim Ki-bong, head of the MJ Cardiovascular Center (Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Department), one of Korea's leading authorities on cardiac surgery, and successfully performed the first heart transplant surgery in northern Gyeonggi Province in 2022.

It also has specialized centers for cardiovascular diseases, including the Arrhythmia Center, Aortic Vascular Center, and Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, and operates a prompt and systematic treatment system.