1st heart surgery in CL performed

ANGELES CITY, Philippines  – The Angeles University Foundation Medical Center (AUFMC) here revealed the other day the first successful heart surgery done in Central Luzon, with an indigent 23-year-old male as patient.

AUFMC president and chief executive officer Gabriel Martin Angeles said the successful surgery was done last May 2 by a team of doctors from AUFMC’s Cardiovascular Institute.

“The breakthrough surgery was performed on a 23-year-old male indigent patient suffering from rheumatic heart disease. The patient, who is a food service worker, waited for over a year for his heart valve replacement,” Angeles said.

The medical team which performed the surgery was headed by Dr. Rector Villajuan assisted by Dr. Anthony Manlulu, while cardiac anesthesia was done by Dr. Roabini Mayor and Dr. Romy Alvarez.

Present during the operation were attending cardiologists Dr. Edgardo Timbol and Dr. Gabriel Jocson III.

The cardiovascular team included perfusionists Charles Andino, Aldrin de la Cruz and Rodel Vintero, the AUFMC said in a statement.

The AUFMC said its Cardiovascular Institute will be inaugurated yet on May 14 with Health Secretary Enrique Ona and PhilHealth chief Rey Aquino as guests.

The AUFMC’s Cardiology Institute will be the first and only such facility in northern and central Luzon. It was put up in partnership with the HB Calleja National Heart Institutes.

“The AUFMC Cardiovascular Institute is equipped with the expertise and technology to perform major cardiac procedures such as coronary angiography and angioplasty, bypass surgery, pacemaker insertions and other complicated cardiac procedures,” the AUFMC said.