Profile
Clinical Associate Professor Kenny Sin is Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS). He is in the Research EXCO of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Cardiovascular Sciences Academic Clinical Programme, and was the Academic Vice Chair, Clinical Services.
Clin Assoc Prof Sin graduated with his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 1989. He did his fellowships at the Oxford Heart Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, UK from 1998-2000 and at the University of Texas-Houston, Memorial Hermann Hospital, USA from 2000-2001. He was formerly Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at NHCS until 2016, before assuming the post of Deputy CEO.
He is Clinical Associate Professor with the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and Clinical Associate Professor with Duke-NUS Medical School. He is also a part-time academic staff with the Faculty of Medicine at NUS and Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore. He was until recently Chair of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency Programme, and still contributes as an Examiner in the Quadripartite Conjoint Examinations together with the Royal College of Surgeons.
Clin Assoc Prof Sin is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, UK, since 1993 and Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, since 2001. He has co-authored numerous papers, abstracts and participated in various research projects and clinical trials. He has a keen interest in education and the development of cardiovascular specialties in the region, and holds concurrent appointment as General Secretary of the Asian Association of Thoracic and Vascular Surgeons of Asia, Chair of Education for the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology, and Director of the ASEAN Federation of Cardiology College.
All the academic and office appointments notwithstanding, Clin Assoc Prof Sin is a full time practising Cardiothoracic Surgeon and specialises in the field of adult cardiac surgery, primarily performing Coronary Artery Bypass graft surgeries, Valve Repairs and Replacements, and Aortic Aneurysm Surgery.
Education
- FAMS
- FRCS
- MBBS National University of Singapore 1989
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Professional Appointments and Committee Memberships
- Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart Centre Singapore, 2005 to Present
- Director, Operating Theatre, National Heart Centre Singapore, April 2024 to Present
- Director, Cardiac Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Services, National Heart Centre Singapore, April 2024 to Present
- Deputy Chief Executive Officer (National Cardiac Services and Quality), National Heart Centre Singapore, June 2023 to May 2024
- Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Clinical Service and Quality), National Heart Centre Singapore, April 2022 to May 2023
- Head, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart Centre Singapore, 2007 to 2016
- Deputy Medical Director (Clinical Services and Quality), National Heart Centre Singapore, 2014 to 2017
- President, ASEAN Federation of Cardiology, 2012 to 2014
- President, Singapore Cardiac Society, 2009 to 2012
- Secretary General, Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Asia, 2019 to present
- Director, ASEAN Federation of Cardiology College, 2016 to present
- Fellow, European Society of Cardiology, 2010 to Present
- Fellow, ASEAN College of Cardiology, 2008 to Present
- Advisory Board, Singapore Perfusion Society, 2010 to Present
- Fellow, Academy of Medicine, 2001 to Present
- Fellow, Royal College of Surgeons, 1993 to Present
- Member, Academic Medicine Education Institution (AM.EI), 2013
- Fellow, Academic Medicine Research Institute (AMRI), 2014
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Awards
- Residency in SingHealth Excels (RiSE) Awards 2022 - Outstanding Faculty Award
- Distinguished Senior Clinician Award 2022
- Outstanding Clinician Award (Special Mention), SingHealth GCEO Excellence Award 2013
- PS21 ExCel Award 2013, Innovative Champion category – Silver.
- Singapore Health Quality Service Award: SHQSA STAR 2012
- Faculty Award for outstanding contributions to medical education presented by Duke-NUS Medical School, 29 May 2011
- Surgical StaR Inspiring Teacher Award, 2010
- Outstanding Innovator Awards 2009, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School
- Gold 2007, 2009
- Excellent Service Award (EXSA) 2008
- NHCS Service Quality Award – Silver 2005
- NHCS Service Quality Award – Bronze 2003, 2004
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Research Interests
- Cardiac surgery - Coronary Artery Bypass, Valve Replacement and Repair
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Publications
Refereed articles
- Atrial, Ventricular, and Atrioventricular Septal Defects. Ravi Pillai and
Kenny Sin. In: Morris PJ, Wood WC, eds. Oxford Textbook of Surgery Second Edition: Oxford University Press, 2000;2245-2249.
- Abnormalities of the Atrioventricular Valves. Ravi Pillai and
Kenny Sin. In: Morris PJ, Wood WC, eds. Oxford Textbook of Surgery Second Edition: Oxford University Press, 2000;2263-2266.
- Surgical Management of Infective Endocarditis. YK Sin, YS Tan, S Shankar, YL Chua. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2000;8:241-244.
- Iatrogenic Aortic Dissection Complicating Cardiac Surgery. YK Sin, S Shankar. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2000;8:361-363.
- The Ultracor Tilting Disc Valve in the Aortic Position: Mid-Term Follow Up. Sin YK, Karen Campbell, Pillai R. J Heart Valve Disease 2000;9:688-692.
- Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement. Sin YK, Pillai R. J Card Surg 2000;15(6):424-427.
- Aortic Surgery in Asia. CN Lee,
YK Sin. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;14(4):354-357.
- Ruptured Mycotic Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: Lower Lobectomy and Interposition Dacron Graft Repair.
YK Sin, YL Chua. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2003;11:77-9.
- Aortic Trauma. YK Sin, YL Chua. In: Hwang NC, Ooi LC, eds. Acute Surgical Management: World Scientific Publishing, 2004;200-211
- Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest in Adults Undergoing Aortic Surgery: Local Experience. Chong SY, Chow MY, Kang DS,
Sin YK, Sim EK, Ti LK. Ann Acad Med Singapore 2004;33(3):289-293.
- Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery. Black EA, Ghosh S,
Sin YK, Spyt T, R Pillai. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2004 Dec; 12(4): 379-86
- Ex-Vivo Differentiation of Human Adult Bone Marrow Stem Cells into Cardiomyocyte-like Cells. WSN Shim, S Jiang, P Wong, J Tan, YL Chua, YS Tan,
YK Sin, CH Lim, T Chua, M The, TC Liu, E Sim. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2004; 324:481-488
- Mycotic Aneurysm due to Burkholderia Pseudomallei: A Brief Report and Literature Review. JGH Low, AML Quek,
YK Sin, BSP Ang. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2005 Jan 1: 40 (1) : 193-8
- Primary Lymphoma of the Aorta Presenting as a Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. AL Estrera, EE Porat, R Aboul-Nasr,
KY Sin, LM Buja, HJ Safi. Ann Thorac Surg 2005;80:1502-4
- Stent Graft for Recurrent Melliodosis Mycotic Aortic Aneurysm. Lee SY,
Sin YK, Kurup A, Agasthian T,Caleb MG. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2006 Apr;14(2):e38-40
- Recurrent Aortic Aneurysms Following Thoracic Aortic Stent-Graft Repair in a Patient with Cogan Syndrome. Su JY, Low AH, Tay KH, Sebastian MG, Thumboo J,
Sin YK. J Endovasc Ther 2006 Dec;13(6):779-82
- Cogan’s Syndrome with Recurrent Carotid and Aortic Aneurysms: A Potentially Fatal Disorder Mimicking Marfan Syndrome. AHL Low, JW Su,
KYK Sin, KY Fong, J Thumboo. Scand J Rheumatol 2007;36:71–73.
- Headache: An Unusual Presentation of Aortic Dissection. Singh S, Huang JY,
Sin K, Charles RA. Eur J Emerg Med 2007 Feb;14(1):47-9
- Endovascular stent graft treatment of leaking thoracic aortic tuberculous pseudoaneurysm. Loh YJ, Tay KH, Mathew S, Tan KL, Cheah FK,
Sin YK. Singapore Med J 2007; 48(7): e193
- Acquired right-to-left shunt through an atrial septal perforation with cyanosis after percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy. Masakazu Nakao, Jack Kian Ch’ng,
Yoong Kong Kenny Sin, Yeow Leng Chua, Chung Yin Lee. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2008; 135:690-1
- Burkholderia pseudomallei meningitis following inadequate treatment of melioidotic mycotic aneurysm. Chlebicki MP, Kurup A,
Sin YK. Singapore Med J 2008; 49(9):e219-e221
- CT appearance of complications related to thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR): A pictorial essay. U. Pua, K H Tay, BS Tan, MM Htoo, M Sebastian,
K Sin, YL Chua. Eur Radiol (2009) 19: 1062-1068. DOI 10.1007/s00330-008-1276-3
- Percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve replacement: First transfemoral implant in Asia. Chiam PTL, Koh TH, Chao V TT,Lee CY, See Tho VY, Tan SY, Lim ST, Hwang NC,
Sin YK, Chua YL. Singapore Med J 2009; 50(5) : 534-537, Case Report
- The Heart As A Mechanical Pump: Use of a Plastic Siphon Pump as a Learning Tool. Sin YK. Abstract in AMEE 2009. Percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve replacement: First transapical implant in Asia. Chao VTT, Chua YL, Chiam PTL, Lee CY, See Tho VY, Tan SY,
Sin YK, Hwang NC, Lim ST, Koh TH. Singapore Med J 2010; 51(1):69-72, Case Report
- Percutaneous transcatheter heart valve implantation in a bicuspid aortic valve. Paul T.L. Chiam, Victor T.T. Chao, Swee-Yaw Tan, Tian-Hai Koh, Chung-Yin Lee, Ving Yuen See Tho,Yoong-Kong Sin, Yeow Leng Chua. J Am Coll Cardiol Intv, 2010; 3:559-561, doi:10.1016/j.jcin. 2009. 11.024
- Absence of Calcium Channel 1C – Subunit Mutation in Human Atrial Fibrillation. Jia-Lin Soon, Liao Ping, Yeow-Leng Chua, Tuck-Wah Soong,
Kenny Sin Yoong-Kong. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. 2010 Aug; 18(4):349-53
- L-type Calcium Channel α-1C Subunit Mutation Is Not Present In Atria From Cardiac. Surgery Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. Jia-Lin Soon, Liao Ping, Yeow-Leng Chua, Tuck-Wah Soong,
Kenny Sin Yoong-Kong.
Revised manuscript accepted for publication in the Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals. - How should I treat a percutaneous transcatheter mitral paravalvular leak closure? Chiam PT, Ding ZP,
Sin YK, See Tho VY, Chua YL, Gunasegaran K, Jeinin V, Ruiz CE. EuroIntervention 2010 Nov; 6(5): 653-9. dol:10.4244/EIJV615A108.
- Percutaneous mitral valve repair with the MitraClip for severe mitral regurgitation – First case in Asia. Yeo KK, Ding ZP, Chua YL, Koh TH,
Sin YK, Lim ST, Jack WC Tan, Paul TL Chiam & Hwang NC. Singapore Medical Journal – Case report.
- A survivor of late prosthesis migration and rotation following percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Philip YK Pang, Paul TL Chiam, Victor TT Chao, Tian Hai Koh, Yeow Leng Chua,
Yoong Kong Sin. European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery 0 (2012) 1-2 doi:10.1093/ejcts/ezr195.
- A survivor of late prosthesis migration and rotation following percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. Philip YK Pang, Paul TL Chiam, Victor TT Chao, Tian Hai Koh, Yeow Leng Chua,
Yoong Kong Sin. Pending Publication
- Outcome and survival analysis of intestinal ischaemia following cardiac surgery. Y.K. Pang Philip,
Yoong Kong Sin, Chong Hee Lim, Jang Wen Su and Yeow Leng Chua. Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery 0 (2012) 1-4 dor:10.1093/icvts/ivs181. Manuscript No. EJCTS-2011-305862. doi:10.1093/icvts/ivs181
- Hemodynamic contribution of stem cell scaffolding in acute injured myocardium. Qian Ling, Shim W, M Shirhan, Lim KP, Tan LP, Lim CH,
Sin YK, Wong P. Tissue Engineering Journal Part A, Volume 18 Number 15 & 16, 2012. DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2011.0591
- Iliofemoral Anatomy Among Asians: Implications For Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation. Chiam PT, Koh AS, Ewe SH,
Sin YK, Chao VT, Ng CK, Lee CY, Lim YP, Su JW, Lim SL, Tan TE, Lim CH, Tan SY, Chua TS, Koh TH, Chua YL.
International Journal of Cardiology 2012 Apr 20 (Epub ahead of print)
International Journal of Cardiology April 2012 (online).
International Journal of Cardiology 2013, Aug 20. - Outcome And Survival Analysis Of Surgical Repair Of Post-Infarction Ventricular Septal Rupture. Pang PYK,
Sin YK, Lim CH, Tan TE, Lim SL, Chao VTT, Su JW, Chua YL. Journal Of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2013, 8:44. DOI:10.1186/1749-8090-8-44
- Asia’s First Successful Minimally Invasive Transapical Transcatheter Mitral Valve-in-Valve Implantation. Jia Lin Soon, Yeow Leng Chua, Victor TT Chao, Paul TL Chiam, See Hooi Ewe, Ving Yuen Seetho, Chung Yin Lee, Swee Yaw Tan, Tian Hai Koh,
Kenny YK Sin. Annuals of Academy of Medicine, Singapore. Vol.42 No.2 February 2013
- Absence of Calcium Channel α-1C Subunit Mutation In Human Atrial Fibrillation. Jia-Lin Soon, Liao Ping, Yeow-Leng Chua, Tuck-Wah Soong,
Kenny Sin Yoong-Kong. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann. Aug 2010; 18(4): 349-53.
- Percutaneous mitral valve repair with MitraClip for severe functional mitral regurgitation. Khung Keong Yeo, Zee Pin Ding, Yeow Leng Chua, Soo Teik Lim, Kenny Yoong Kong Sin, Jack Wei Chieh Tan, Paul Toon Lim Chiam, Hian Chih Hwang, Tian Hai Koh. Singapore Medical Journal 2013; 54(1): e9. (Case Report).
- Surgical management of infective endocarditis: an analysis of early and late outcomes. Pang PY,
Sin YK, Lim CH, Tan TE, Lim SL, Chao VT, Chua YL. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2014 Jul 15. pii: ezu281. [Epub ahead of print]
- iPSC-derived human mesenchymal stem cells improve myocardial strain of infarcted myocardium. Miao Q, Shim W, Tee N, Lim SY, Chung YY, Ja KP, Ooi TH, Tan G, Kong G, Wei H, Lim CH,
Sin YK, Wong P. J Cell Mol Med. 2014 Aug;18(8):1644-54. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.12351. Epub 2014 Jun 28.
- Is it possible to predict the risk of ischaemic bowel after cardiac surgery? Yap KH, Chua KC, Lim SL,
Sin YK. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2014 Sep;19(3):494-8. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivu145. Epub 2014 Jun 4.
- Therapeutic hypothermia in adult patients receiving extracorporeal life support: early results of a randomized controlled study. Pang PY, Wee GH, Hoo AE, Tahir Sheriff IM, Lim SL, Tan TE, Loh YJ, Kerk KL,
Sin YK, Lim CH. J Cardiothorac Surg. 2016;11(1):43. Published in the Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery on 5 Apr 2016.
- Surgical management of very late paravalvular leaks after mitral valve replacement: a single institutional experience. Pang PY, Zhu J,
Sin YK, Chua YL. Journal of Thoracic Disease, J Thorac Dis 2016. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2016.08.58. [Epub ahead of print].
- Comparison of the Haemodynamic Parameters of Venous and Arterial Coronary Artery Bypass Conduits. Soon Jia Lin,
Kenny Sin, Victor Chao, Tan Teing Ee, Mathew Jose Chakaramakkil, Chua Yeow Leng, Kang Ning. Published in Annals of Academy Medicine Singapore, August 2016, Vol 45 No 8.
Journal (Pending)
- Superior Mesenteric Arterial Stenting For Ischaemia Following Acute Type B Aortic Dissection. Singapore Medical Journal (Submitted). Foo CC,
Sin YK, Htoo MM, Lim CH.
Reviews, invited published papers
- Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement. Sin YK, Pillai R. J Card Surg 2000;15(6):424-427.
- Aortic Surgery in Asia. CN Lee,
YK Sin. Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2002;14(4):354-357.
Books & book chapters
- Atrial, Ventricular, and Atrioventricular Septal Defects. Ravi Pillai and Kenny Sin. In: Morris PJ, Wood WC, eds. Oxford Textbook of Surgery Second Edition: Oxford University Press, 2000;2245-2249.
- Abnormalities of the Atrioventricular Valves. Ravi Pillai and
Kenny Sin. In: Morris PJ, Wood WC, eds. Oxford Textbook of Surgery Second Edition: Oxford University Press, 2000;2263-2266.
- Aortic Trauma. YK Sin, YL Chua. In: Hwang NC, Ooi LC, eds. Acute Surgical Management: World Scientific Publishing, 2004;200-211.
Published abstracts
- Implementation of a versatile extracorporeal life support cart and a simplified workflow in reducing interhospital activation. Hoo Anne,Maggie Cheah BK, Tan TE,
Sin YK. Poster Presentation at ELSO-EURO 2012.
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Research Trials
- RE-COVER II (CIRB Ref: 2008/018/C) A phase III, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study of the efficacy and safety of oral dabigatran etexilate (150mg bid) compared to warfarin (INR 2.0-3.0) for 6 months treatment of acute symptomatic venous thromboembolism, following initial treatment for at least 5 days with a parenteral anticoagulant approved for this indication. (Principal Investigator) completed.
- Hokusai VTE: A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Double-dummy, Parallel-Group, Multi-Center,Multi-National study for evaluation of efficacy and safety of (LMW) Heparin/Edoxaban Versus (LWM) Heparin/Warfarin in subjects with symptomatic deep-vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism. (Principal Investigator) completed.
- Prognostic factors in patients requiring Extracoporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) support. (CIRB Ref: 2011/144/C) (Principal Investigator) ongoing.
- Surgical Treatment for Ischaemic Heart Disease (STICH) trial. (CIRB Ref: 2004/019/C) (Co-Investigator) completed
- A Phase 3 Randomised, Double-blind, Parallel-group, Multi-center of the safety and efficacy of Apixaban for prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in acutely ill medical subjects following hospitalization. (Co-Investigator) ongoing
- Autologous Cells Therapy for the Aging Heart using Reprogrammed Cells. (Collaborator) ongoing
- SIGNIFY: Effects of Ivabradine in patients with stable coronary artery disease without clinical heart failure. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled international multicenter study. (Co Investigator) - ongoing
- V710: A Randomized, multicenter, double-blind, group-sequential study to evaluate the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of a single does of Meck 0657nl staphylococcus aureus Vaccine (V710) in adult patients scheduled for cardiothoracic surgery. (Co Investigator) - completed
- A phase III randomized, double blind, parallel-group study of the efficacy and safety of oral dabigatran (150mg bid) compared to warfarin (INR 2.0-3.0) for 6 months treatment of acute symptomatic venous thromboembolism, following initial treatment for at least 5 days with a parenteral anticoagulant approve indication. (HPRG/CTB 78:10/08-021) (Co Investigator) - completed
- Predisposing Factors for Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Surgery. (Co Investigator) ongoing
- Intestinal ischaemia in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: An analysis of an Asian population. (Co Investigator) completed
- Surgical repair of post-infarction ventricular septal rupture - 12 years of experience in an Asian population (Co Investigator) completed
- Surgical management of infective endocarditis - 12 years of experience in an Asian population. Co Investigator) ongoing
- A Randomized, Multicenter, Double-Blind, Group-Sequential Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Immunogenicity, and Safety of a Single Dose of Merck 0657nl Staphylococcus aureus Vaccine (V710) in Adult Patients Scheduled for Cardiothoracic Surgery. Completed. Principal investigator: Lim Chong Hee. Co-Investigators: Sin Yoong Kong, Chua Yeow Leng, Lim See Lim, Tan Teing Ee, Lim Yeong Phang, Loh Yee Jim, Mathew C Jose, Koh Puay Theng, Min Sein
- A retrospective review of surgical repair of post-infarction ventricular septal rupture. 2011/881/C. PI: Philip YK Pang. Co-I: Kenny YK Sin, Su JW,Chua YL & Lim CH
- A retrospective review of surgical management of infective endocarditis. 2011/880/C. PI: Philip YK Pang. Co-I: Kenny YK Sin, Su JW,Chua YL & Lim CH
- Point-of-Care Testing: Validating CoaguChek XS in patients post-open heart surgery. 2013/758/C - completed. PI: Kenny YK Sin. Co-I: Hide Elfrida Wee, Kenneth Guo, Hon Jin Shing, Teo Siew Chong, Shera Wong See Ah, Pasty Chiang & Yap Yen Ping.
- A prospective study comparing steri-strip with suture in closure of post central chest tube removal incision wounds. 2014/518/C PI: Kenny YK Sin. Co-I: Dr Meynard and Zhang Xiaoxia (CTS specialty nurse) from W56.
- Sorin Group Real Life Registry – Mitroflow Aortic Pericardial Heart Valve. Principal investigator: Dr Soon Jia Lin. Co-Investigator: Sin Yoong Kong, Chua Yeow Leng, Lim Chong Hee, Lim See Lim, Tan Teing Ee, Lim Yeong Phang, Victor Chao, Su Jang Wen. Ongoing.
- A retrospective survival analysis of long term outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting. PI: Kenny YK Sin.
- Retrospective review of catheter directed pulmonary thrombolysis from 2000 to 2011 performed at SGH. PI: Dr Farah, SGH. Co-Investigator: Kenny YK Sin. Closed.
- TRICS-III: Transfusion Requirements in Cardiac Surgery: An international, multi-centre, randomized controlled trial to assess transfusion thresholds in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. PI: Prof Hwang Nian Chih. Co-Is (NHCS): A/Prof Kenny Sin, Dr Lim See Lim, Dr Victor Chao, Dr Soon Jia Lin, Dr Mathew Jose, Dr Tan Teing Ee, A/Prof Lim Chong Hee
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