Moldova heart surgery breakthrough: First-ever CRT and ICD implants
Doctors at Chișinău's "Holy Trinity" Municipal Clinical Hospital have performed the country's first-ever operations to implant a Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) device and two Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICDs).
The procedures were a success and all patients are recovering well, according to the hospital. A Romanian expert from the Iași Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases was involved in training and assisting the Moldovan team.
Professor Liviu Grib, Head of the Cardiology Department at "Holy Trinity" Hospital, called the operations "a major step" for cardiac services in Moldova. He added that collaboration with foreign experts "will support the continued implementation of these complex and life-saving therapies for patients."
Dr. Cristian Stătescu, the Romanian specialist, said the procedure was highly challenging, even for experienced surgeons. "It was a pleasure for the trainees from Moldova to come to us for training, after which I came here and helped ensure these procedures could be performed," he said. He stressed the importance of successful initial operations: "We must ensure these procedures succeed from the start, so that we can perform and observe as many as possible together."
Patients selected for the interventions faced an increased risk of malignant arrhythmias or advanced heart failure. Specialists confirm the devices provide life-saving treatment, conforming to European standards.
One patient described the experience: "They detected that a heart muscle wasn't working, that's why the proposal was made for me to get an implant next. The operation took about 40 minutes. The professional work is evident." Another said: "Before coming to the hospital, I couldn't get enough air, I was suffocating, I didn't sleep at night. With the help of the doctors—I feel good now."
The hospital noted that the operations mark a significant stage in the development of cardiology services in Moldova.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
