BY PILAR SALCEDO AND LEONARDO ALBERTO SALAZAR ROJAS
- The International Hospital of Colombia (HIC) has gained global recognition as a leader in cardiovascular health, distinguished for its excellence in innovative procedures, especially in the field of artificial heart implantation.
- The institution has transcended Colombia’s borders by providing high-quality care to international patients from various parts of the world, including Canada, Venezuela, Ukraine, the Dominican Republic and Panama. This international reach underscores the trust placed in HIC’s medical expertise and excellence.
- Cases of patients like Fabio Antonio Fabre, Makzym Gnybeda and Yuk Yin Hau Fun highlight the positive impact and significant transformation in quality of life achieved through HIC’s advanced procedures in this field.
Bucaramanga, January 2024. HIC has established itself as a global leader in cardiovascular health, recognized for its performance in innovative procedures such as artificial heart implantation. Also known as a ventricular assist device (VAD), this medical advancement is designed to assist heart function in individuals whose hearts struggle to pump blood efficiently. This procedure is carried out in situations where the vital organ is weakened due to heart disease, advanced heart failure or other serious conditions.
The versatility of ventricular assist devices is reflected in their ability to be temporary or permanent, adapting to the specific needs of each patient. These implants not only improve blood circulation but also reduce symptoms associated with heart failure, thus generating notable progress in patients’ quality of life.
Dr. Leonardo Salazar Rojas, head of the Ventricular Assistance Program at HIC, explains that this device operates by being connected to the aorta (the artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body), whose function can be compared to that of an airplane turbine. “The artificial heart features a circular helix-shaped element that rotates and levitates thanks to magnets. It can pump up to 10 liters of blood per minute.”
But this equipment doesn’t work alone. The patient always carries an external controller connected by a transmission line, which includes a regulator and two rechargeable batteries that can last up to 12 hours. This element, a small box with a screen, continuously displays the performance of the artificial heart and helps the patient monitor how their implant is functioning.
In April 2014, the HIC Cardiovascular Institute achieved a significant milestone by performing its first HeartMate II implant, marking the beginning of a pioneering trajectory in Colombia and being the first institution in Latin America to carry out these interventions. Approaching its tenth anniversary, the institution has already consolidated its position as a leader in this area. To date, 32 procedures have been performed, benefiting 27 national and 5 international patients.
The success of HIC is attributed not only to its technical expertise but also to a distinctive human approach. The team, composed of exceptional professionals, has played an essential role in achieving successful outcomes.
Cases of international patients benefited
It is worth noting that the HIC has the International Office, an area dedicated exclusively to the accompaniment and care of patients from other countries seeking specialized medical treatments.
With a bilingual team of professionals in medical assistance, logistics and administration, the work of the International Office goes beyond providing purely medical services. The goal is to ensure an excellent experience and, therefore, comprehensive advice and support are provided, starting even before arriving at the hospital.
“We take care of guiding the patient in their appointments, explaining the medications and the care they should have. We are characterized by providing comprehensive care, personalized support and a completely VIP service,” says María Paula Cornejo, commercial director of the HIC International Office.
HIC has provided care to patients from various backgrounds, such as Canada, Venezuela, Ukraine, the Dominican Republic and Panama, demonstrating its international reach and ability to offer effective solutions for cases of heart failure. The institution plays an essential role in significantly improving the quality of life of patients, as evidenced in the case of Fabio Antonio Fabre, originally from the Dominican Republic. Diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in the left ventricle, Fabre received the device on July 3, 2019. In his own words: “This has been a transformation for me, a new life; I have felt extraordinarily well. What I have experienced overall has truly been spectacular.”
His daughter, recounting the challenging family experience, underscores the difficulty it posed for everyone, including doctors and the HIC team. Today, she describes her father as a completely renewed man, vital and full of energy, being 100% independent.
Makzym Gnybeda, a 22-year-old Ukrainian sailor, faced a serious heart condition corrected with the implantation of a long-lasting device. After contracting a heart infection at sea near Santos, Brazil, his ship docked in Cartagena, Colombia, due to the patient’s advanced inflammation. The deterioration of his heart from a virus resulted in a cardiac arrest of over half an hour, leading to his transfer to Barranquilla. Dr. Salazar said: “They called us, and we went in our medicalized jet, connected him to a temporary artificial heart to stabilize him, and brought him to Bucaramanga.”
Although this measure allowed for the reversal of damage to his organs, Colombian legislation prevented a permanent transplant due to his foreign origin. After four weeks of recovery, during which he was accompanied by his mother from Ukraine, specialists successfully implanted a HeartMate II. This intervention not only improved his heart but also restored his vitality and ability to walk, highlighting the importance of advanced medical technology and cooperation in critical situations.
In 2021, Yuk Yin Hau Fun, aged 52, battled the aftermath of COVID-19 that caused coronary heart disease. After overcoming the respiratory illness, he was diagnosed with ischemic heart disease. The family, originally from China, sought international help and contacted HIC Cardiovascular Institute. Despite not previously knowing the country, they traveled for Yuk to receive the necessary surgery.
The patient’s son, Daniel Hau NG, emphasized the complexity of the case and his father’s deteriorated condition upon arrival. Through the medical team, led by Dr. Salazar, Yuk became the fifth international patient to receive an artificial heart implant at the Institute. “For me, it’s a miracle that my father has recovered because he didn’t have a good prognosis. It’s been a total change in these months, and everything here has been very good; the city, the people, the hospital, the care… I won’t hesitate to come back often to bring my father for check-ups and to see everyone again,” he said.
The outstanding work of HIC Cardiovascular Institute is not only evident in its local impact but also in its ability to attract and provide high-quality care to international patients. This aspect reflects international confidence in the hospital’s medical expertise and excellence, solidifying its position as a global leader in cardiovascular health. These testimonies reaffirm HIC’s mission to provide advanced care, highlighting its dedication to the health and well-being of patients worldwide.
Pilar Salcedo
Press Officer – Hospital Internacional de Colombia
Social Communicator- Journalist from the Universidad Autónoma de Bucaramanga Colombia.
Experience in generating and disseminating journalistic content or free press, public relations, and protocol. She has worked for a significant time in the health sector, serving as a press officer and developing content for the media. She has implemented communication strategies in specific projects.
Leonardo Alberto Salazar Rojas
Director of the ECMO and Ventricular Assistance Program – Hospital Internacional de Colombia
Cardiovascular anesthesiologist and intensivist. Pioneered Colombia’s first ECMO program, recognized as the only Platinum-level Center of Excellence. Led the implantation of Latin America’s first artificial heart, Heartmate II. Leads the accredited Artificial Heart Program recognized as a Center of Excellence by the Joint Commission International (JCI).
Education:
- Ventricular Assistance Training – University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
- Master of Biomedical Sciences – Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
- Specialization in Cardiothoracic Anesthesia – Universidad del Rosario (UR), Bogotá, Colombia.
- Specialization in Anesthesia – Universidad Militar Nueva Granada (UMNG), Bogotá, Colombia.
- Medical Doctor – Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNAL), Bogotá, Colombia.
Image credit: ISTOCK.COM/CAGKANSAYIN