AMC Heart Institute pioneers heart disease treatment, research

Professor Ho Jin Kim (left) of the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery is performing a minimally invasive surgery on a patient with aortic disease.

The Asan Medical Center (AMC) Heart Institute, a globally-recognized medical center established in 1989, has been at the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in cardiovascular treatment and research.

Led by a team of dedicated medical experts, the institute has consistently set new standards in the field, earning global recognition for its commitment to excellence.

In the latest rankings by U.S. Newsweek magazine, the AMC Heart Institute stands as a beacon of cardiovascular healthcare, securing the top position in South Korea and 33rd worldwide for cardiology. Moreover, it holds the top spot in Korea and 52nd globally for cardiac surgery.

In 2022, the AMC Heart Institute had more than 200,000 outpatient visits and 60,000 inpatient admissions.

The AMC Heart Institute stands out in its major cardiovascular procedures, with over 5,500 cases per year, including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA), and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).

The institute also excelled in major cardiovascular surgeries, totaling over 1,700 cases each year.

The AMC Heart Institute has introduced pioneering treatments such as minimally invasive heart surgery, the first percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty, heart transplantation, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) insertion, and more.

Notably, the institute achieved groundbreaking success by being the first in the world to perform percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with left main coronary artery disease.

The disease-centered multidisciplinary approach adopted by the AMC Heart Institute is a key factor in its success.

Operating eight specialized centers, including the Ischemic Heart Disease Center, the institute provides distinctive services to ensure customized and effective treatments for diverse cardiovascular conditions.

Professor Park Seung-Jung (left) of the Division of Cardiology is sharing the latest knowledge with worldwide cardiologists during the 28th TCTAP held in May 2023.

Professors Ahn Jung-Min, Park Duk-Woo, and Park Seung-Jung (from the left) of the Division of Cardiology are performing the 300th TAVI procedure.

In terms of TAVI procedures, Professor Park Seung-jung of the Division of Cardiology led the institute to become the first in Asia to complete 1,000 cases in 2021, marking a significant milestone.

In 2022 alone, the institute performed 303 TAVI procedures, the highest number in the country. The success rate stands at 99 percent over the last five years.

Heart transplantation is another area where the AMC Heart Institute has excelled, achieving the milestone of performing over 800 heart transplants, the highest number in Korea.

The institute also reached milestones in innovative procedures, including the Micra Implantation and MitraClip Procedure, with both surpassing 100 cases in 2022. These procedures, designed for patients with arrhythmias and severe mitral valve insufficiency, respectively, demonstrated excellent performance with success rates exceeding 97 percent.

Professor Song Jong-Min, the President of AMC Heart Institute, is conducting an echocardiogram on a patient with valvular heart disease.

“Asan Medical Center has tirelessly endeavored not only to increase the survival rates of patients with severe heart conditions but also to enhance the quality of life for these patients after treatment,” said Professor Song Jong-Min, president of the AMC Heart Institute. “Building upon extensive clinical experience, we continue to uphold the highest standards in healthcare and pursue consistent research, setting the standard for heart disease treatment worldwide.”