Doc on Eriksen, who had cardiac arrest: He was gone, we got him back

​The New Paper mentioned a tweet posted by Asst Prof Yeo Tee Joo, Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation, Department of Cardiology, NUHCS, which stated that early recognition, prompt cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and defibrillation “saves lives regardless of aetiology of cardiac arrest”. He added that these are extremely important knowledge and skill that all should have.

施打第二剂 4 年轻男子现心脏炎症 (Four young men had heart inflammation after receiving their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine)

In an interview with Shin Min Daily News,Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Director and Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre Singapore and Chairman, Singapore Heart Foundation shared that myocarditis is a common condition with asymptomatic symptoms and they are generally related to viral infections. 

Prof Tan explained that further studies and investigations are ongoing and current available data suggests that most cases are mild. Patients recover without the need for significant intervention and do not suffer any long-term effects.

He said symptoms of myocarditis usually appear on the same or next day after vaccination, but it is very rare.  He suggested to drink plenty of water, get sufficient rest and to wait three to four days before resuming any strenuous physical activity even if the individual does not experience any symptoms. He urged the public to seek medical attention should they experience chest pain for up to two hours after the vaccination.

抗疫重中之重 解读冠病疫苗 (Top priority in the pandemic fight – understanding COVID-19 vaccines)

​Commentary by Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Senior Consultant, NUHCS outlined how the COVID-19 virus affects the body, the types of vaccines available and how they work. Prof Tan said that the best way to fight against this pandemic is to go for vaccination as our body will produce antibodies to fight off the virus when infected. Prof Tan also discussed the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines, possible side effects, and how people with heart disease can still go for vaccination.

Getting cold feet? It could be an early sign of heart disease

​Dr Dharmaraj Rajesh Babu, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Heart Centre Singapore, commented that peripheral artery disease (PAD) is increasingly prevalent in Singapore today because of the ageing population. People who smoke and/or have other risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol are at most risk of developing PAD. He emphasised the importance of recognising PAD’s warning symptoms, such as cold feet, to prevent escalation into heart disease or stroke, and that prevention is better than cure. Dr Rajesh advised patients with PAD to stay active and encourage the public to screen for chronic diseases at the appropriate age.

健康娜件事 - 冠心病与冠病19 (Cardiovascular heart disease and COVID-19)

​In an interview with 96.3好FM, Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Director and Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS), commented the best way to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is to go for vaccination as our body will produce antibodies to fight off the virus when infected.  He shared how the virus may affect the body, the types of vaccines available and how they work. Prof Tan elaborated on the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines, possible side effects, and how people with heart disease can still go for vaccination. 

抗疫重中之重 解读冠病疫苗 (Top priority in the pandemic fight – understanding COVID-19 vaccines)

​Commentary by Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Director and Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS), outlined how the COVID-19 virus affects the body, the types of vaccines available and how they work. Prof Tan said that the best way to fight against this pandemic is to go for vaccination as our body will produce antibodies to fight off the virus when infected. Prof Tan also discussed the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines, possible side effects, and how people with heart disease can still go for vaccination.

走进陈淮沁的书房 (A walk in Tan Huay Cheem’s study)

​Zaobao Online "On their bookshelves" video series featured Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Director and Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS), who shared about his reading habit. Prof Tan mentioned that despite his busy schedule, he has cultivated a habit of reading three newspapers every day, which allows him to better understand and engage his patients.  He has also been a regular contributor of medicine-related commentaries to Zaobao for 16 years. 

• Lianhe Zaobao, 19 May 2021
  

对阿司匹林过敏的心脏病人 (A heart disease patient who is allergic to aspirin)

​Commentary by A/Prof Ronald Lee, Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS), highlighted his experience treating a patient suffering from acute myocardial infarction who is also allergic to aspirin. A/Prof Lee noted that for a patient undergoing coronary intervention, allergy to aspirin is a piece of bad news as after the intervention, the patient will need to take two types of blood-thinning drugs for up to a year.

CNA938 - Health Matters

In the CNA938 interview, A/Prof Theo Kofidis, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) and Department of Surgery, NUS Medicine shared more about his new book, titled “Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery – A Practical Guide”, which covers a myriad of complex surgery techniques, latest knowhow and skills for practicing cardiologists, heart surgeons, perfusionists and nurses. He said the publication is done in a novel educational platform that unfolds interactively, using QR codes for the first time in printed surgical education. Readers can scan the QR code as they read each paragraph within the book and they will be transferred to a collection of essential audio-visual material, where readers can access and see how heart surgery procedures are performed.

科学家：聚维酮碘基消毒剂可降低感染新冠病毒的风险 (Scientists: Povidone-iodine based disinfectant can reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission)

China Daily reported on the study findings highlighting that researchers from National University Health System have found that using povidone-iodine throat spray or the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine can reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection in healthy individuals in areas with high transmission rates.  The findings were published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, following a randomised clinical trial conducted among 3,037 migrant workers quarantined at Tuas South Dormitory in May last year. 

The study was led by A/Prof Raymond Seet, Senior Consultant, Division of Neurology, National University Hospital and clinician-scientists from National University Health System, including Prof Paul Tambyah, A/Prof Mikael Hartman, A/Prof Alex Cook, Dr Amy Quek and others.

• India TV News, 27 April 2021,Antiseptic throat spray, malaria drug may curb Covid spread

New MICS book introduces novel educational concept for cardiac surgery

​BioSpectrum Asia featured the new book by A/Prof Theo Kofidis, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, National University Heart Centre Singapore, which introduces a novel educational concept for cardiac surgery. 

Report quoted A/Prof Kofidis who said: “As a teaching resource, reference book and manual written by surgeons who both operate and teach the procedures described within, this book is a culmination, and indeed the crown jewel, of many years of dedication to minimally invasive heart procedures. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery is an integral component of every future cardiac surgeon’s training, and we hope that the book will be an invaluable guide as it covers the latest research, trends and innovations in the field.”

Anti-malaria drug, throat spray found to cut Covid-19 infection risk

The Straits Times highlighted that using povidone-iodine throat spray or the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine has been found to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection in healthy individuals in areas with high transmission rates.  The findings were published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, following a randomised clinical trial conducted among 3,037 migrant workers quarantined at Tuas South Dormitory in May last year. 

The study was led by A/Prof Raymond Seet, Senior Consultant, Division of Neurology, National University Hospital and clinician-scientists from National University Health System, including Prof Paul Tambyah, A/Prof Mikael Hartman, A/Prof Alex Cook, Dr Amy Quek and others.

A/Prof Seet said that repurposing accessible existing drugs such as povidone-iodine and hydroxcloroquine is a practical way to curb the spread of the virus, especially in regions where Covid-19 is rampant.  He added that he, Dr Quek and A/Prof Hartman were early volunteers in the dormitories, where they ran medical posts and screened residents. He noted that the number of dorm infections was overwhelming at the start of the outbreak.  That was when they got together with Prof Tambyah and A/Prof Cook to come up with the idea of running a study, all with the overarching aim to help ease the burden on the healthcare system.  

• Channel NewsAsia Online, 25 April 2021, Antiseptic throat spray can reduce COVID-19 spread in high-risk settings, say Singapore researchers
  
• Today Online, 25 April 2021, Anti-malaria drug, throat spray reduce Covid-19 spread in closed, crowded settings such as dorms: NUHS study
• The New Paper, 25 April 2021, Throat spray, anti-malaria drug reduce Covid risk: Study
• 8world.com, 25 April 2021, 研究：口服羟氯喹和聚维酮碘喉部喷雾剂有效减少病毒传播 (Study: Antiseptic throat spray can help reduce spread of infection)
• Lianhe Zaobao, 26 April 2021, Page 2, 国大研究：常见杀菌喉咙喷雾剂可有效降低冠病传播风险 (NUS study: Common antiseptic throat spray can effectively reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission)
• Berita Mediacorp, 25 April 2021, Antiseptic throat spray can reduce spread of infection, Study
• Seithi Mediacorp, 25 April 2021, Antiseptic throat spray can reduce spread of infection, Study
  
• Mothership Online, 25 April 2021, S’pore researchers find that antiseptic throat spray can reduce Covid-19 spread in high-risk settings
  
• MSNEWS Online, 25 April 2021, S’pore study finds antiseptic throat sprays can lower risk of Covid-19 infection in high-exposure places
  
• CNBCTV18, 25 April 2021, Throat spray, oral drug for malaria-arthritis effective in reducing spread of COVID19: S’pore study
  
• The Bharat Express News, 25 April 2021, Anticeptic throat spray may reduce the spread of COVID-19 in high-risk environments
• The Star, 26 April 2021, Benefits found in throat spray and hydroxychloroquine
• Malay Mail, 26 April 2021, Singapore’s NUHS study shows anti-malaria drug, throat spray reduce Covid-19 spread in closed, crowded settings
• The Economic Times, 25 April 2021, Throat spray, oral drug for malaria-arthritis effective in reducing spread of COVID-19: Singapore Study
• Financial Times Online, 26 April 2021, Malaria drug reduces infection risk, study shows
• The NIKKEI Online, 26 April 2021, 抗マラリア薬など、コロナ拡大を鈍化　シンガポール国立大病院  (Reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission with the use of anti-malaria drugs: NUS Study)
• South China Morning Post, 26 April 2021, Coronavirus: Singapore study suggests hydrochloroquine and throat spray could protect against infection
• CNBC Indonesia,26 April 2021, Studi: Obat Malaria Ini AmpuhLawan Virus Covid-19 (Study: Malaria drug is effective against Covid-19 virus)
• The Edge Markets,26 April 2021, Singapore study: Throat spray effective in reducing spread of Covid-19infection
• BioSpectrum AsiaEdition, 26 April 2021: Singapore studies role of oral HCQ & throat spray in reducingCOVID-19 spread
• BH Online, 26 April 2021, Semburantekak kurangkan jangkitan Covid-19 (Throat spray reduces Covid-19 infection)
  

New Book Offers Innovative Approach to Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery and Introduces a New Educational Concept

高剂量他汀或导致副作用 (High doses of statins may cause side effects)

​Commentary by Prof Tan Huay Cheem, Director and Senior Consultant, National University Heart Centre Singapore, elaborated on cholesterol-lowering medicine – statins. He commented that high doses of statins may cause serious side effects and clinical experience also suggests that the Asian population is less tolerant of high-intensity statins than the European population. He also highlighted that the use of lipid-regulating drugs should be accompanied by diet control and lifestyle improvement.

Hao 963FM: Peripheral Artery Disease and Coronary Artery Disease

​Hao 963FM conducted a radio and Facebook Live interview with Dr Peter Chang, Consultant and Clinical Lead, Vascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS), who elaborated on the difference between Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and Coronary Artery Disease CAD (CAD).  He shared on the risk factors of patients at high risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and major adverse limb events, as well as new treatment options.