Key Milestones

The National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) is dedicated to providing optimal care and outcomes through continuous advancement in patient care, education and training, and research.

Learn more about our key milestones.

2020

Boehringer Ingelheim partners with Enleofen in a signature biotech deal to research and develop drug therapies, which will help reverse inflammation and fibrosis in diseased organs. Enleofen is a spinout company from NHCS and Duke-NUS Medical School, under the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre.
NHCS launched telemedicine initiatives, including telephone and video consultations, for a wide range of clinical care and services. The telemedicine services are offered to patients with stable conditions, and provides remote care with greater convenience to patients and their caregivers.
Researchers from NHCS identified a unique lean diabetic phenotype among Asian patients with heart failure. NHCS researchers together with Asia-wide investigators launched the Asian Diabetes Outcome Prevention Trial (ADOPT), a multinational clinical trial, to help prevent heart diseases in high-risk patients with diabetes.
Bayer and NHCS entered into a five-year collaboration agreement to set up a “Center of Excellence for Explorative Cardiovascular Studies”, with the aim of boosting patient-centricity in research and development (R&D) and improving treatment outcomes in cardiovascular disease management.

2019

Professor Koh Tian Hai was conferred as an Emeritus Consultant, a first for NHCS.
Singapore LIVE (SingLIVE) was successfully concluded from 17 to 18 January 2019. To further strengthen NHCS involvement in this flagship medical event which first began in 1989, SingLIVE was independently organised from 2019, after a decade of joint organisation with Asia PCR.
One of NHCS pioneer heart surgeons, Associate Professor Chua Yeow Leng, won the National Outstanding Clinician Award 2019, for his advancement of cardiothoracic surgery standards in NHCS, Singapore and the region, and more.
Two newly awarded Clinician Scientists in NHCS – Assistant Professor Calvin Chin and Assistant Professor Angela Koh, who were awarded in the Investigator Category. Organised by National Medical Research Council (NMRC), the prestigious Clinician Scientist award is presented to top researchers who carry out translational and clinical research in Singapore, and help transform patient care with their research.

2018

NHCS celebrates its 20th anniversary as a leader in providing care for its patients. As part of the celebrations, a group of NHCS staff visited the houses of our needy patients to clean and spruce up their homes, over and above the medical care which were provided. In addition, NHCS held its first ever public walk-and-race event on 29 July to promote heart-healthy living among Singaporeans.
Researchers from NHCS found that wearable sensors can enhance biomedical research and potentially predict cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
NHCS and Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) collaborated to set up NHCS Cardiology @ SKH, providing cardiac services and expertise at its outpatient clinic and dedicated wards for north-east residents.
Professor Stuart Cook, Tanoto Foundation Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Director of National Heart Research Institute Singapore, received the President’s Technology Award 2018 for his research in human genetics.
NHCS held its third Heart to Heart Gala on 5 October, raising more than S$2 million.
Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH) programme available in NHCS, providing a full spectrum of care including diagnostic investigations, customised treatment options and follow-up care and rehabilitation.

2017

Collaboration with SingHealth Polyclinics on front-loading and open access protocol that helps patients cut one visit and get a faster diagnosis
NHCS re-accredited successfully by JCI
NHCS began using the Bike CMR, which combines the Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan with a stationery exercise bike, to differentiate normal cardiac response to exercise from early heart muscle disease.
A study led by Professor Carolyn Lam found that the implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) slashes sudden cardiac death by 66 per cent
NHCS developed the Remodelling Index, which found that patients with the same blood pressure reading may be at different risk of developing heart failure or other cardiac complications
Major breakthrough discovery by NHCS researchers for interleukin 11 (IL11), a critical protein that causes fibrotic diseases and organ damage, allowing for ongoing treatment development

2016

NHCS jointly developed cardiac gene sequencing panel with Imperial College London to test 174 genes in 17 inherited cardiac conditions
Number of people who benefited from the Heart to Heart foundation more than doubled in four years
Opening of Women’s Heart Clinic
NHCS led the multinational study which discovered that gene mutations in Titin affect the heart function in Asians' healthy individuals

2015

NHCS performed Asia's first HeartMate 3 implantation
American College of Cardiology partnered NHCS to create world's first global diabetes registry
Inaugural NHCS Heart to Heart Gala 2015 raised more than $760,000 for financially needy heart patients and research in cardiovascular medicine
Official opening of SAF Cardiac Fitness Centre at NHCS

2014

Official opening of the NHCS new building by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
NHCS received the HIMSS Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM) Stage 6 award
Official launch of the National Heart Research Institute Singapore by President Tony Tan
NHCS performed Singapore's first Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator procedure to prevent Sudden Cardiac Death
NHCS began operating from its new 12-storey building at 5 Hospital Drive

2013

NHCS successfully and completely reversed the effects of a gene mutation in long QT syndrome 2 in patient-specific heart cells, a world's first
NHCS held the Topping Out Ceremony for its new building

2012

NHCS implanted Singapore's first third generation heart pump, the HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD), for advanced heart failure patients
NHCS set up the Cardiovascular Academic Clinical Programme
NHCS staff, Professor Stuart Alexander Cook, received the prestigious STaR Investigator Award from the National Medical Research Council
NHCS unveiled age-friendly features at new building to better serve elderly patients
NHCS developed world's first arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) human heart cell model to study inherited heart muscle disease associated with Sudden Cardiac Death
NHCS won the BCA Green Mark Platinum Award for integrating eco-friendly features into its upcoming building
NHCS performed Asia's first successful transapical transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve implantation
National Cardiovascular Homograft Bank is the first tissue bank outside of North America to achieve the American Association of Tissue Bank (AATB) Accreditation

2011

NHCS successfully created beating heart cells from patient's skin
NHCS performed Asia's first MitraClip procedure for patients with heart valve problems
NHCS saved 14-year-old boy with heart-assist device, the youngest case in Asia
NHCS introduced Asia's first Aquaphereis for heart failure patients with fluid overload
NHCS re-accredited successfully by JCI

2010

First robotic-assisted lobectomy in Southeast Asia
EuroPCR partnered SingLIVE to launch inaugural AsiaPCR-SingLIVE

2009

NHCS performed Asia's first percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage using the Watchman device
First robotic hybrid operating theatre in Southeast Asia
NHCS introduced the magnetic navigation system for complex arrhythmias, a first in Southeast Asia
NHCS performed the first Heart Mate II implantation in Singapore
NHCS' live transmission to EuroPCR 2009, marking the start of the collaboration on AsiaPCR-SingaporeLIVE in 2010
NHCS performed Asia's first combined heart and liver transplant with Singapore General Hospital
NHCS performed Asia's first percutaneous aortic valve replacement
NHCS broke ground for new building

2008

NHCS established Singapore's first Homograft Bank
NHCS launched our 10th Anniversary Time Capsule
NHCS re-accredited successfully by JCI
Breakthrough in NHCS' Stem Cell Research
Launch of NHCS' 10th Anniversary Commemorative Book

2007

Reduced radiation dose for patients undergoing Multi-Slice Computed Tomography (MSCT)
Cardiac Image and Information Management System (CIIMS) established
First aorto-apical conduit done in Singapore
Setup of SCAN CVI@NHCS (SingHealth Centre for Advanced Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Imaging @ National Heart Centre Singapore)

2006

Expansion of Research and Development facilities (RDU@SON)
First pulmonary vein isolation/Maze procedure using the EPICOR Cardiac Ablation system in Singapore and Asia
Record number of 16 patients supported on Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenator (ECMO) Record number of six heart transplantations and one lung transplantation done since the revised Human Organ Transplant Act was implemented in July 2004
Robotic Assisted Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (RAMICS) Programme established
SingHealth Centre for Advanced Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Imaging established as a collaboration between SGH Department of Diagnostic Radiology and NHCS

2005

Received the Business Continuity Management (BCM) certification
First heart hospital outside USA and in Asia to be accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI)
First robotic-assisted excision of mediastinal tumour on an 18-year-old male patient using da Vinci surgical system

2004

First MicroMed deBakey Left Ventricular Assist Device implantation
First local inter-hospital transfer of patient on Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenator (ECMO)
Participated in worldwide heart trial, known as the Surgical Treatments for IsChaemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial
First Singapore-based company's drug eluting stent 'Biolimus' implantation during the 13th Singapore LIVE Course
First percutaneous left atrial appendage transcatheter occlusion procedure in Singapore and Asia-Pacific during the 13th Singapore LIVE Course

2003

First Specialist Diploma in Cardiac Technology with Singapore Polytechnic in Singapore and Asia
Adult Congenital Heart Disease Programme (ACHD) established
First bipolar radiofrequency ablation in Asia
First elephant trunk aortic surgery in Singapore

2002

First tourist-in-transit to be implemented with a life-saving left and right heart assist device in Singapore. Also the first patient supported by such a device to be transported over 6,000 miles at a significantly high altitude back to his country
Heart care programme set up with SingHealth Polyclinics
First left ventricular reconstructive surgery performed
First heart failure programme established in Singapore
First percutaneous lead extraction in Singapore using the electrosurgical dissection shealth system
First left ventricular assist device explantation in Singapore and Southeast Asia
First biventricular assist device implantation in Singapore and Southeast Asia
A cumulative total of 15,000 cardiac surgeries performed since 1981
First drug eluting stent implantation in Singapore and Asia during the 11th Singapore LIVE Course

2001

National Heart Centre Singapore performed the first left ventricular assist device implantation in Singapore and Southeast Asia
First mechanical heart device programme established

2000

Jointly offered first Diploma in Biomedical Sciences (Cardiac Technology) offered in Singapore and Asia with Singapore Polytechnic
First coronary artery brachytherapy in Singapore and Southeast Asia
National Heart Centre Singapore became a member of Singapore Health Services, one of two public healthcare clusters
Did first lung transplant with Singapore General Hospital and National Cancer Centre Singapore

1999

Performed first biventricular pacing (for symptomatic relief in patients with moderate to severe heart failure on maximum medical therapy) procedure
National Heart Centre Singapore became autonomous

1998

Singapore Heart Centre redesignated as National Heart Centre Singapore
First lung transplant programme set up

1995

First cardiac-dedicated nuclear imaging laboratory established

1994

Cardiac services at Singapore General Hospital were transferred to Singapore Heart Centre
Singapore Heart Centre (SHC) established at Mistri Wing, Singapore General Hospital

1992

First implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantion in Singapore

1991

First radiofrequency catheter ablation procedure in Singapore and ASEAN
Four state-of-the-art angiographic machines acquired for the Cardiovascular Laboratory
First non-invasive vascular laboratory established

1990

First heart transplant in Singapore

1989

First cardiac arrhythmia surgery in Singapore
First Live Demonstration in Basic and Advanced Techniques on Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (known as Singapore LIVE) organised
First transoesophageal echocardiography service set up