Heart specialists shifting patients away from open-heart surgery<br /><br />Heart specialists are shifting more patients away from open-heart surgery as minimally invasive procedures gain ground in cardiovascular treatment, doctors from Asian Heart and Vascular Centre say on April 17, 2026. During a roundtable discussion in Cebu City, experts said catheter-based techniques now allow safer treatment for high-risk and elderly patients. Dr. Edgar Tay said minimally invasive procedures now replaced many open-heart surgeries, offering shorter recovery times and reduced risk. Dr. Pipin Kojodjojo warned that atrial fibrillation increases stroke risk by up to 500 percent and stressed the need for early detection and intervention. They also urged early screening as cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the Philippines.<br /><br />VIDEO BY KAISER JAN FUENTES<br /><br />Check out our Streaming Channel: https://streaming.manilatimes.net/<br /><br />Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe<br /><br />Visit our website at [https://www.manilatimes.net](https://www.manilatimes.net/)<br /><br />Follow us:<br />Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook<br />Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram<br />Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter<br />DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion<br /><br />Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital<br /><br />Check out our Podcasts:<br />Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify<br />Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts<br />Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic<br />Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer<br />Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein<br /><br />#TheManilaTimes<br />#TMTNews<br />#Health <br />#Philippines
