Latest news with #NELAnimalCardiovascularCenter
Business Wire
18-07-2025
- Health
- Business Wire
NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center Performs World's First Surgical Treatment of Canine Infective Endocarditis
ANYANG, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center said that its NEL Animal Heart Surgery Team has achieved the world's first surgical success in treating canine infective endocarditis (IE) in a dog. 'This case is the first to prove that surgical treatment can be a viable option for canine infective endocarditis, a condition previously considered inoperable. It is a result of our cumulative experience in over 50 successful mitral valve surgeries." Share The South Korean veterinarian team led by Chief Veterinarian Dr. Taeheum Um has conducted a complex procedure using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to resect and reconstruct a heart valve damaged by infection, in a case where conventional medical treatment had proven insufficient. This case marks the world's first successful surgical intervention for canine infective endocarditis. The patient, an 8-year-old, 6.2 kg Spitz, was a high-risk case with a medical history of Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE) and prolonged antibiotic use. The first surgery addressed a degenerative mitral valve damaged by myxomatous changes, significantly reducing regurgitation. The patient recovered well without the need for ongoing medication. However, approximately four weeks post-op, a bacterial infection developed on the valve. Detailed diagnostics confirmed the presence of infective endocarditis caused by the multi-drug resistant bacterium Enterococcus faecium. The infection was likely due to intestinal barrier damage linked to chronic enteritis and long-term antibiotic treatment. Despite six weeks of intravenous antibiotic therapy, severe structural damage to the valve necessitated a second surgery. In the second operation, the team performed anterior mitral valve leaflet patch augmentation, extending the shortened anterior leaflet using a bovine pericardial patch. This is a highly advanced technique borrowed from human cardiac surgery — and this marks the first time it has ever been applied to a dog. The nine-hour procedure was successful, and the patient was able to discontinue all cardiac medications and diuretics. Now, over three months post-surgery, the dog is living a normal life without any syncope episodes. Considering the average survival period for dogs with infective endocarditis is around 70 days, this case — with the patient surviving and improving over 10 months post-onset — is a landmark achievement demonstrating the potential of surgical treatment. Dr. Taeheum Um, lead surgeon of the NEL Animal Heart Surgery Team, stated, 'This case is the first to prove that surgical treatment can be a viable option for canine infective endocarditis, a condition previously considered inoperable. It is a result of our cumulative experience in over 50 successful mitral valve surgeries. We will continue to monitor the case and publish our findings in academic journals.' Building on this success, the team aims to expand the clinical scope of treatment for complex canine heart diseases and contribute critical data to the global veterinary cardiology community. About NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center The NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center is a 24-hour specialty veterinary hospital with expertise in heart surgery and intensive cardiac care. It also offers services in neurology (disc treatment), advanced diagnostics (CT/MRI), stem cell therapy, and orthopedic surgeries such as cruciate ligament and patella luxation repairs. NEL is the only private animal hospital in South Korea capable of performing both mitral valve surgery and open-heart surgery. The center also operates a specialized heart screening program for early detection and management of cardiac diseases.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center Achieves World's First Surgical Correction of Complex VSD in Canine Patient
ANYANG, South Korea, June 23, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center, a private 24-hour animal hospital in South Korea, said that its cardiac surgery team has successfully performed the world's first surgical correction of a complex ventricular septal defect (VSD) in a canine patient. This veterinary milestone is highly significant, as it marks the first such case not only in Korea but also globally, with no previous reports of successful surgical treatment for complex VSDs. The patient was diagnosed with a unique form of VSD—a single, continuous defect extending from the perimembranous to the subarterial region (Perimembranous VSD extending into subarterial region). Given that there had been no prior successful surgical cases even for typical VSDs in veterinary medicine, this breakthrough greatly expands the possibilities for surgical treatment of congenital heart disease in Korea's veterinary cardiac surgery field. Over the past year, NEL's cardiac surgery team has gained experience through more than 50 open-heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass. Based on this expertise, the team developed a thorough surgical plan. During the procedure, the complex VSD involving both membranous and subarterial regions was confirmed. The team performed incisions in the right atrium and pulmonary artery, successfully closing the defect with a bovine pericardial patch. Immediately after surgery, the left-to-right shunt was completely resolved, and the risk of progressive regurgitation due to aortic valve prolapse was eliminated. The patient's cardiac function recovered to near-normal levels, and the long-term prognosis is considered highly favorable. Subarterial VSDs are particularly dangerous due to the risk of aortic valve prolapse and severe regurgitation, making early surgical intervention crucial. The success of this surgery offers new hope for animals with congenital heart defects, demonstrating the potential for a surgical cure. Dr. Tae-Heum Um, Director of NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center, stated, "Although this was a complex defect, thorough discussion and preparation among our medical team led to a successful outcome. We will continue our efforts so that more animals with congenital heart disease can lead healthy and normal lives." NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center is preparing an academic analysis and official report on this case, and sincerely hopes that this achievement contributes to the advancement of veterinary cardiac surgery not only in Korea, but also across Asia. View source version on Contacts NEL Animal Cardiovascular CenterYoon il-yong+82-31-421-7579heart@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
23-06-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center Achieves World's First Surgical Correction of Complex VSD in Canine Patient
ANYANG, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 22, 2025-- NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center, a private 24-hour animal hospital in South Korea, said that its cardiac surgery team has successfully performed the world's first surgical correction of a complex ventricular septal defect (VSD) in a canine patient. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center's medical staff performing surgical correction of a complex ventricular septal defect (VSD) in a canine patient (Photo: NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center) This veterinary milestone is highly significant, as it marks the first such case not only in Korea but also globally, with no previous reports of successful surgical treatment for complex VSDs. The patient was diagnosed with a unique form of VSD—a single, continuous defect extending from the perimembranous to the subarterial region (Perimembranous VSD extending into subarterial region). Given that there had been no prior successful surgical cases even for typical VSDs in veterinary medicine, this breakthrough greatly expands the possibilities for surgical treatment of congenital heart disease in Korea's veterinary cardiac surgery field. Over the past year, NEL's cardiac surgery team has gained experience through more than 50 open-heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass. Based on this expertise, the team developed a thorough surgical plan. During the procedure, the complex VSD involving both membranous and subarterial regions was confirmed. The team performed incisions in the right atrium and pulmonary artery, successfully closing the defect with a bovine pericardial patch. Immediately after surgery, the left-to-right shunt was completely resolved, and the risk of progressive regurgitation due to aortic valve prolapse was eliminated. The patient's cardiac function recovered to near-normal levels, and the long-term prognosis is considered highly favorable. Subarterial VSDs are particularly dangerous due to the risk of aortic valve prolapse and severe regurgitation, making early surgical intervention crucial. The success of this surgery offers new hope for animals with congenital heart defects, demonstrating the potential for a surgical cure. Dr. Tae-Heum Um, Director of NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center, stated, 'Although this was a complex defect, thorough discussion and preparation among our medical team led to a successful outcome. We will continue our efforts so that more animals with congenital heart disease can lead healthy and normal lives.' NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center is preparing an academic analysis and official report on this case, and sincerely hopes that this achievement contributes to the advancement of veterinary cardiac surgery not only in Korea, but also across Asia. View source version on CONTACT: NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center Yoon il-yong +82-31-421-7579 [email protected] KEYWORD: ASIA PACIFIC SOUTH KOREA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CARDIOLOGY VETERINARY BIOTECHNOLOGY PETS SURGERY HEALTH HEALTH TECHNOLOGY CONSUMER SOURCE: NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/22/2025 08:00 PM/DISC: 06/22/2025 07:59 PM
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center Achieves World's First Surgical Correction of Complex VSD in Canine Patient
ANYANG, South Korea, June 23, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center, a private 24-hour animal hospital in South Korea, said that its cardiac surgery team has successfully performed the world's first surgical correction of a complex ventricular septal defect (VSD) in a canine patient. This veterinary milestone is highly significant, as it marks the first such case not only in Korea but also globally, with no previous reports of successful surgical treatment for complex VSDs. The patient was diagnosed with a unique form of VSD—a single, continuous defect extending from the perimembranous to the subarterial region (Perimembranous VSD extending into subarterial region). Given that there had been no prior successful surgical cases even for typical VSDs in veterinary medicine, this breakthrough greatly expands the possibilities for surgical treatment of congenital heart disease in Korea's veterinary cardiac surgery field. Over the past year, NEL's cardiac surgery team has gained experience through more than 50 open-heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass. Based on this expertise, the team developed a thorough surgical plan. During the procedure, the complex VSD involving both membranous and subarterial regions was confirmed. The team performed incisions in the right atrium and pulmonary artery, successfully closing the defect with a bovine pericardial patch. Immediately after surgery, the left-to-right shunt was completely resolved, and the risk of progressive regurgitation due to aortic valve prolapse was eliminated. The patient's cardiac function recovered to near-normal levels, and the long-term prognosis is considered highly favorable. Subarterial VSDs are particularly dangerous due to the risk of aortic valve prolapse and severe regurgitation, making early surgical intervention crucial. The success of this surgery offers new hope for animals with congenital heart defects, demonstrating the potential for a surgical cure. Dr. Tae-Heum Um, Director of NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center, stated, "Although this was a complex defect, thorough discussion and preparation among our medical team led to a successful outcome. We will continue our efforts so that more animals with congenital heart disease can lead healthy and normal lives." NEL Animal Cardiovascular Center is preparing an academic analysis and official report on this case, and sincerely hopes that this achievement contributes to the advancement of veterinary cardiac surgery not only in Korea, but also across Asia. View source version on Contacts NEL Animal Cardiovascular CenterYoon il-yong+82-31-421-7579heart@
