Materia Medica Malaysiana

IJN Participates In Study Against Heart Failure

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- The National Heart Institute (IJN) Wednesday received a RM76,000 grant from the Medtronic International Ltd, a leader in medical technology, to conduct a study on the "Pacing to Avoid Cardiac Enlargement" (PACE).
IJN's consultant cardiologist Dr Razali Omar said the study, which included the development of a new device in the treatment of heart rhythm abnormalities, is the first to be conducted in the world and will take three years to complete.
"The study is about the implantation of the new device of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacemaker for patients with heart failure," Dr Razali told a news conference after the cheque presentation ceremony here.
At the ceremony, IJN Medical Director Datuk Seri Dr Robaayah Zambahari, who is also the head of the Department of Cardiology, said IJN would conduct the study with several renowned centres in the region.
IJN has conducted 26 clinical trials since 1996 and 16 trials have been completed and published, while 10, including the one on PACE, was ongoing.
CRT pacemaker, also known as biventricular pacing, is planted in the right atrium and ventricle and left atrium in the heart to prevent heart failure and disfunction of the heart.
The cheque was presented by Vice President Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Asia Pacific of Medtronic International Ltd, Jim Yearick to Dr Robaayah.
Also present were Chief Executive Officer of IJN Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus and Medtronic International Ltd-Malaysia Sales Manager for CRM Tan Tee Joo.
Medtronic has a long-term partnership with IJN and Medtronic has trained doctors from Pakistan and Indonesia at IJN.