Ewha Daedongmaek Vascular Hospital Opens on 19th... Inaugural Hospital Director Professor Song Seokwon

University Hospital Takes Lead in Dedicated Aortic Vessel Treatment... First of Its Kind in Korea

Ewha Womans University Medical Center announced that from the 19th, it has opened the Ewha Aortic Vascular Hospital on the 3rd floor of Ewha Seoul Hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and started medical services.

Front view of Ewha Womans University College of Medicine and Ewha Seoul Hospital. [Photo by Ewha Seoul Hospital]

The inaugural hospital director was appointed as Professor Song Seok-won of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, who is recognized as a leading expert in aortic surgery in Korea. Last year, Director Song achieved 620 aortic surgeries, setting the highest annual record among domestic medical institutions. Additionally, he reduced the aortic rupture mortality rate from 20% to 3%, and is an expert in aortic surgery who successfully completed the typically 6-hour t-Branch stent-graft surgery in just 2 hours.

Along with Director Song, the team includes Professors Kim Myung-soo and Lee Hae from the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Professor Lee Kwang-hoon from Radiology, and Professor Nam Sang-beom from Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, as well as specialized nursing staff and perfusionists. The hospital explained that this recruitment was to minimize confusion that could occur during the initial opening phase and to ensure immediate patient care.

The Ewha Aortic Vascular Hospital has established an integrated system of specialized medical staff, facilities, and equipment considering the characteristics of aortic vascular diseases. Since vascular diseases including the aorta often require urgent and immediate response, rapid diagnosis and accurate treatment are crucial. A notable advantage is that Ewha Seoul Hospital, where the hospital is located, can receive patients directly via helicopter transport from across the country.

Alongside the start of medical services, specialized centers have also been established. Under the Ewha Aortic Vascular Hospital, the following centers operate: ▲Aortic Center ▲Peripheral Vascular Center ▲Dialysis Vascular Center ▲Hereditary Aortic Disease Center, treating conditions such as ▲Aortic dissection / intimal thrombosis ▲Aneurysm / aneurysm rupture ▲Aortic valve disease.

To avoid missing the golden time in ultra-emergency situations, a Fast-Track medical system has been established. When a patient with an aortic disease contacts from outside, a text message is sent to the relevant medical staff and administrative team, allowing surgical preparations to be completed before the patient’s arrival, and enabling immediate transfer to the operating room upon arrival through the E-xpress (Ewha Xtraordinary PREcision Safe AORTIC Surgery) system.

Furthermore, a hybrid operating room equipped with both imaging and surgical equipment is operated to allow simultaneous surgery and procedures. Procedures such as aortic surgery using the hybrid graft, first performed domestically by Professor Song’s team, and stent graft procedures including branch artificial blood vessels are conducted.

Director Song Seok-won of Ewha Aortic Vascular Hospital stated, "Time is life in aortic vascular diseases. Not only excellent medical staff but also optimal facilities and equipment, as well as the most accessible location, are important." He pledged, "Ewha Aortic Vascular Hospital will prepare emergency surgery and procedure teams for aortic and vascular diseases 24/7, 365 days a year, and establish an emergency delivery system including helicopters nationwide to provide the fastest and best treatment outcomes."

Professor Song Seok-won, Ewha Womans University Daedong Arterial Vascular Hospital. [Photo by Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.