A Capiznon has become the first patient to have undergone a non-open heart procedure known as intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) in Western Visayas.
The Medical City Iloilo (TMC Iloilo) announced that the 66-year-old Capiznon woman underwent a successful IVL last July 23, 2025 in Iloilo City.
The procedure was done by interventional cardiologists Dr. Kristy Garganera-Tugbang of TMC Iloilo and Dr. James Diaz of TMC Ortigas with the assistance of anesthesiologist Dr. Felix Ruzen Fandinola and the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory staff.
IVL is a minimally invasive procedure that uses sound wave pulses—similar to those used for breaking up kidney stones—to crack hardened calcium buildup inside the patient’s heart arteries.
The IVL helped open up the blood vessels, making it easier for doctors to insert a small tube called a stent, if needed, to keep the artery open and restore healthy blood flow.
The successful intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) heart procedure of a Capiznon in Iloilo City. (Photo courtesy of The Medical City Iloilo)
The patient was referred to TMC Iloilo by Dr. Regina Elena Bisnar-Regalado, who is based in Roxas City.
It was learned that around 20 years ago, the patient underwent a coronary angiogram or a test that looked into the state of the coronary arteries. At that time, the coronary lesion was minimal and the patient exhibited no major symptoms.
However, the patient recently noticed that she easily got tired and had shortness of breath. After a series of tests, she was diagnosed with severe three-vessel coronary artery disease involving the left main coronary artery.
TMC Iloilo noted that the patient did not hesitate to undergo the IVL procedure as a means of avoiding an open-heart procedure.
Meanwhile, TMC Iloilo noted a spike of referral of coronary disease patients coming from Capiz.
