For the first time in Greece, an effective treatment of resistant angina in patients with coronary heart disease 

New ways are being opened for the effective treatment of resistant angina in patients with coronary heart disease, with an innovative surgical intervention that was performed for the first time in Greece by the invasive cardiologist Mr. Georgios Tzanis and the 3rd Cardiology Clinic/Interventional Cardiology and Valvular Diseases of Henry Dunant Hospital Center.  

This intervention involves the implantation of the coronary sinus «Reducer» device, which is now a key choice in the largest cardiology centers in West Europe.  It is noted that  Mr. Tzanis was also actively involved in the development of the pioneering method at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, which is a reference center for the treatment of coronary heart disease throughout Europe. 

The first operation in Greece was performed by Mr. Tzanis and the staff team at the interventional cardiology and valvular diseases clinic of Henry Dunant Hospital Center (Vaios Tzifos, director, and Athanasios Kolyviras, senior registrar) in a young female patient with angina resistant to full and optimal medication. The operation was completed successfully and the patient was discharged the next day. On the follow-up that was performed three months after the operation,  the patient is now asymptomatic with no angina and with excellent myocardial function on the electrocardiogram.  

The innovative operation is performed for the treatment of resistant angina in patients with coronary heart disease and myocardial ischemia when medications and methods of heart muscle reperfusion (such as bypass and stent angioplasty) do not achieve problem elimination. This method is proven to be beneficial in patients previously subjected to bypass, where most implants have been occluded, and there is no longer a goal for either a new bypass or a new angioplasty. It is also indicated in more rare cases, such as the case of this patient,  where the coronary arteries are patent, but there is a problem in the microcirculation of the coronary vessels resulting in insufficient perfusion of the heart.  

As Mr. Tzanis explains, the «Reducer» device is an hourglass-shaped metallic mesh that is placed through the internal jugular vein to the coronary sinus of the heart and achieves the redistribution of blood flow to the areas of the heart muscle where there is a real need. The operation is performed percutaneously and minimally invasively with local anesthesia and usually lasts less than an hour. The patient fully returns to his/her activities the next day, while improvement of symptoms is expected after 2-3 months.  

«The advancement of percutaneous techniques in invasive cardiology, in which Henry Dunant plays a leading role, leaves its own mark on the evolution of medical science and creates new data by improving the lives of patients», is his message.