Johor Specialist Hospital (“JSH”) under KPJ Healthcare Berhad (“KPJ Healthcare” or “the Group”) has successfully delivered a Complex High Indication Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (“CHIP PCI”), a specialised form of angioplasty used to treat severe and high-risk coronary artery disease using Intravascular Lithotripsy (“IVL”) technology through its Heart and Lung Excellence Centre, strengthening access to complex cardiac care within the KPJ Health System.
The procedure involved the treatment of severe coronary artery disease with extensive calcium build-up in the heart arteries. CHIP PCI cases are among the most technically demanding coronary procedures. They typically involve patients with complex heart conditions and require advanced expertise, specialised technology and careful clinical judgement.
IVL technology uses controlled sonic pressure waves to break down hardened calcium within the coronary arteries, allowing doctors to treat complex blockages more safely and precisely before placing a stent. This reduces the need for more aggressive techniques, particularly in patients with complex anatomy or previous stent placement.
The case was led by Dr Mohd Shahrom Ujang, Consultant Cardiologist at JSH with structured proctorship support from Dr Zul Hilmi Yaakob, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist from Tawakkal Specialist Hospital. This consultant-level collaboration reflects the application of KPJ’s Academic Health System approach in practice, where clinical governance, mentoring and knowledge transfer are integrated to support patient safety while building sustainable local expertise.
Dr Mohd Shahrom said, “Delivering complex coronary interventions such as CHIP PCI requires not only advanced technology, but also strong clinical oversight and team readiness. Through the Heart and Lung Excellence Centre, we are able to provide patients with access to high-complexity cardiac care closer to home, while maintaining clear standards of safety and clinical quality.”
Beyond the procedure itself, care delivery under the Excellence Centre framework is supported by multidisciplinary coordination and continuity of care, including rehabilitation and long-term follow-up. This ensures patients are supported throughout their recovery journey, from intervention through stabilisation and ongoing management.
Chin Keat Chyuan, President and Managing Director of KPJ Healthcare, said the milestone reflects how the KPJ Health System is translating intent into real clinical capability. “This case shows how we are building depth, not dependence. Through structured proctorship, clinical governance and shared standards, we are strengthening specialist expertise within our hospitals while keeping patient safety at the centre of care. Under the KPJ Health System, complex procedures are no longer about where a patient is treated, but about ensuring consistent expertise, oversight and outcomes across the network. This is how we deliver advanced care, guided by our purpose of Care for Life.”
The Heart and Lung Excellence Centre at Johor Specialist Hospital was launched in December 2025. This centre is designed to support consistent standards of care, clinical governance, education and research, while expanding access to advanced treatment within the KPJ network.
Through continued capability development and system-wide collaboration, the Centre of Excellence supports KPJ Healthcare’s longer-term aspiration to deliver high-quality, value-based cardiac and respiratory care across its hospitals.
For more information on JSH, visit https://kpjhealth.com.my/johor
This content is provided by KPJ healthcare
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