FIRST CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION THERAPY DEFIBRILLATOR (CRT-D) IMPLANTED AT ZAMPEN HEART INSTITUTE

In a historic leap for cardiovascular medicine in Western Mindanao, the ZAMPEN Heart Institute at Zamboanga Peninsula Medical Center, Inc. successfully performed the region’s first Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator (CRT-D) implant on February 23, 2026. This landmark surgery marked a turning point for patients suffering from advanced heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias in the Zamboanga Peninsula, who previously had to travel to Manila or Cebu for such high-level interventions.

The complex procedure was made possible through the collaborative expertise of a specialized medical team led by Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Eleonor Yeo, Anesthesiologist Dr. Zaida K. Aminulla and Manila Doctors Hospital’s Electrophysiology Specialist Dr. Joseph Marc Seguban. The synergy between local expertise and subspecialized cardiac electrophysiology highlighted the institute's growing capability to handle the most intricate electrical issues of the heart, setting a new benchmark for medical excellence in the area.

(From L-R: Dr. Zaida K. Aminulla (Anesthesiologist), Dr. Eleonor Yeo (Interventional Cardiologist) and Dr. Joseph Marc Seguban (Electrophysiology Specialist)

A CRT-D is a sophisticated implantable device designed for patients whose heart chambers do not beat in sync. Unlike a standard pacemaker, the CRT-D resynchronizes the heart by sending small electrical impulses to both lower chambers to help them beat together more efficiently. Additionally, it serves as a built-in defibrillator that monitors for dangerously fast heart rhythms, delivering a life-saving shock if the patient experiences sudden cardiac arrest.

The success of this procedure cemented ZAMPEN Heart Institute's status as the premier cardiac hub in the region. With its state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, the institute became fully equipped to provide a comprehensive spectrum of care ranging from routine diagnostics to life-saving implants. This breakthrough paved the way for more advanced electrophysiology procedures, ensuring that residents of Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and its neighboring cities have access to the future of heart health.

This significant record is one of the many medical advancements that the ZAMPEN Heart Institute has made since its launch in 2018.

A pose with the dedicated team of ZAMPEN Heart Institute.

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