The Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) in Davao City has recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art hybrid angio-CT catheterization laboratory (cathlab) at its Heart Institute, representing a significant leap forward in healthcare technology in the region. This hybrid cathlab, costing PHP 110 million (USD 2 million), is the first of its kind in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. It is specifically designed to handle a wide array of medical procedures, including emergency interventions such as trauma response, stroke management, and addressing massive organ bleeding.
This hybrid cathlab’s capabilities are extensive, covering adult and pediatric cardiovascular cases like coronary angiograms, angioplasties, hemodynamic studies, and vascular and interventional radiology procedures. Moreover, it offers advanced interventions for conditions like cancerous tumors, where it can deliver chemotherapeutic drugs directly to shrink tumors without invasive surgery. This cutting-edge facility also specializes in stroke management by identifying and treating obstructions or blood clots in blood vessels, ensuring swift and effective patient care.
(Source: Philippine Information Agency)
