Dr. Song Makes Counterclaim
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Renowned cardiologist Song Myeong-gun of Konkuk University Hospital Wednesday refuted a state-run institute's claim that his signature Coronary Ostial Stenosis after Aortic Valvuloplasty (CARVAR) surgical technique may have serious flaws.
He claimed that the assessment was made by a group of people already hostile toward his technique and was based on "partial" information.
CARVAR involves implanting small rings to the aortic root and valves instead of the implantation of artificial valves. According to Song, the surgery produces less bleeding and blood clots, which frees patients from having to take excessive amounts of drugs over a long period of time.
The feud was ignited when the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NEHCA) said Tuesday that CARVAR may not be as safe as suggested in its promotion ㅡ there were a total of 26 cases of side effects and five deaths from a total of 127 cases studied.
The organization reported the facts to the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, which will decide whether to ban the procedure.
The institute said, "The chances of side-effects are around 5 percent and the mortality rate is around 1 percent. We are not seeking its prohibition yet, but it is time the effectiveness and safety of the surgery is looked at once more."
Song said that the institute highlighted only a portion the cases. Song has performed a total of 713 CARVAR procedures at both Asan Medical Center and Konkuk Hospital, and all relevant information was submitted to the authorities.
"At hospitals that do not perform CARVAR, the mortality rate is much higher. The sampling wasn't distributed fairly enough. The NEHCA plucked a few cases to exaggerate the risks," he said at a press conference.
"I have performed surgeries at the request of 31 doctors from seven countries including Japan, the U.S. and Sweden. More doctors are inquiring about it. I welcome any challenges, but hope they are based on the facts," he said.
The ministry's decision on the issue will be especially important for Konkuk's reputation since it has dismissed two professors who publicly raised suspicion regarding the CARVAR procedure.
Professor Yu Gyu-hyeong and Professor Han Sung-woo at the Department of Cardiology filed a report about 27 cases of side effects to the Korea Food and Drug Administration and a European journal in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Song, who moved to Konkuk from Asan in 2007 to enhance the university's brand image, alleged that the data were fabricated. Han and Lee have filed a petition to the Education Ministry for reinstatement.