\Good news awaits coronary heart patients at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) as they can now undergo the Extracorporeal Shockwave Myocardial Revascularisation' (ESMR) procedure that does not require surgery.

UMMC Head of Cardiology Unit Prof Dr. Wan Azman Wan Ahmad said the therapy was meant for coronary heart disease patients who can no longer undergo angioplasty or bypass surgery.

"ESMR is a shockwave treatment directed to the heart muscle not having enough blood flow. The therapy will stimulate growth of new blood vessels in the heart muscle.

hospital heart surgery patients "So it will increase blood flow to the heart muscle, thus reducing heart pain. This reduces symptoms (associated with coronary heart disease)," he told a news conference after the delivery of the RM2.8 million ESMR equipment to UMMC in Petaling Jaya today.

The non-invasive procedure is done by relieving blockage to the heart and allowing oxygen flow by using a special generator that produces low intensity shockwaves.

"Each session takes about an hour and three times a week. Patients do not have to stay at UMMC. After undergoing treatment for a week, they rest for three weeks before the next treatment. Patients need to undergo treatment nine times," said Wan Azman.

He said the device would be used on patients for the first time tomorrow and the procedure would cost RM2,500.

The availability of the medical technology for the fist time in the country could spur research opportunities at UMMC, he added.

– Bernama