FV Hospital has just introduced the latest technology in aortic valve replacement – Evolut™ FX – for the first time in Vietnam. By combining a minimally invasive intervention method with advanced 3D imaging technology integrated with AI, the medical team at FV Hospital can treat complex cardiovascular cases without the need for open surgery.

Unexpected Diagnosis: High-Risk Heart Disease Found During Digestive Check-Up

In early January 2025, during a routine digestive check-up for Mrs V.T.P., 65 years old from Vung Tau, doctors at FV Hospital detected abnormal cardiovascular signs and recommended an echocardiogram. The results revealed severe aortic valve stenosis, along with a congenital defect in which the mitral valve had two leaflets instead of the usual three.

Mrs P. was shocked when Ho Minh Tuan, MD, PhD, Head of the Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology Department at FV Hospital, explained without prompt aortic valve replacement, she would experience shortness of breath, inadequate blood supply to the body, and face a high risk of heart failure and sudden death.

Mrs P.’s case was particularly complex: her aortic valve was stenosed, and the structure of her aorta was twisted at an 80-degree angle, making it challenging to insert intervention tools. Therefore, Dr Ho Minh Tuan recommended the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure with the Evolut™ FX valve technology, the most advanced technique available.

“The patient’s aorta had a complex structure, making it difficult to navigate the valve into the heart through the femoral artery. Using older generation valves would increase the risk of complications. Therefore, we selected the latest Evolut™ FX valve, the first to be used in Vietnam. Its flexible design adapts to intricate anatomies, allowing for safe and effective valve placement,” explained Dr Ho Minh Tuan.

Evolut™ FX: A Breakthrough Technology for Patients with Complex Vascular Structures

In recent years, the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) technique has undergone continuous improvements to enhance success rates and expand the treatment capacity for complex cases. The Evolut™ FX valve features a flexible design that easily navigates through twisted arteries and includes markers that aid doctors with more accurate positioning.

In Mrs P.’s aortic valve replacement surgery, FV Hospital also utilized the 3Mensio software application, which integrates the most advanced AI-based CT image analysis. This technology helped doctors assess the access route, valve size, and placement position. The intervention procedure for Mrs P. was completed smoothly in just 45 minutes.

After the procedure, Mrs P.’s shortness of breath improved significantly, and her heart function stabilized. Two days later, she was discharged from the hospital in good health. “At first, I was very worried and felt a lot of pressure and fear in the three weeks leading up to the procedure. But with the encouragement from Dr Ho Minh Tuan and my family, I decided to follow the doctor’s advice. When I woke up after the procedure, I felt healthy and light, as if I had just had a restful sleep, without any pain or discomfort,” Mrs P. happily shared.

The new Evolut™ FX technology is one of the significant advancements in the field of aortic valve interventions. According to Dr Ho Minh Tuan, the Evolut™ FX valve offers several key advantages compared to previous generations. It can function stably for 15-20 years, with a new valve replacement rate of only 1-2% after 20 years.

An important factor in the success of the aortic valve stenosis treatment procedure is the 3Mensio CT imaging analysis software integrated with AI. This advanced tool simulates the three-dimensional structure of the arteries and heart, enabling doctors to assess the valve size, determine the tool path, and optimize valve placement.

“Compared to previous methods that relied on standard CT scans, the AI-integrated 3Mensio enables intervention doctors to analyse images with greater accuracy, reducing risks during valve placement, shortening preparation time, and increasing the success rate,” explained Dr Ho Minh Tuan.

FV Hospital is currently the leading facility in Vietnam to utilize the 3Mensio CT imaging analysis software for treating complex heart valve diseases such as TAVI, MitraClip for mitral valve repair, TriClip for tricuspid valve repair, pulmonary valve replacement, and atrial appendage closure.