Hwang, Nian Chih

International Adjunct Professor

Education Background

Fellow of the Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (National University of Singapore)

Research Field
Anaesthetists
Email
gmshnc@nus.edu.sg
Biography

Prof. Hwang is a Senior Consultant Anaesthesiologist with Department of Anaesthesiology, Division of Anaesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine in Singapore General Hospital (SGH), and with the Department of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore Healthcare Services. I served as the Head of Department of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia in NHCS between May 2003 and April 2017. I am a regular rank Professor in the Office of Medical Education in Duke-NUS Medical School, Adjunct Associate Professor in Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (YLLSoM) in National University of Singapore, and Clinical Teacher in Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in National Technological University.

I currently contribute as an Executive member of the Asian Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, a member of the Advisory Group for World Federation of Society of Anaesthesiologists. I serve on the editorial board of Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia and review submissions for various journals.

Academic Publications

Selected Publications

  1. CH Chan, SR Desai, NC Hwang. Cerebrospinal fluid drains: Risks in contemporary Practice. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2022 Jan 19;S1053-0770(22)00047-7. Review.
  2. Koh LY, Hwang NC. Red-Colored Urine in the Cardiac Surgical Patient-Diagnosis, Causes, and Management. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2021 Dec;35(12):3774-3788. Review.
  3. Sodium abnormalities in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass in adults: A narrative review. Leong XF, Cheng M, Jong B, Hwang NC, Roscoe A. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2021 Nov;35(11):3374-3384. Review
  4. WC Huang, P Lee, TGL Wong, JKT Tan, NC Hwang. Diagnosis of bone cement implantation syndrome using point of care ultrasound examination. Ann Card Anaesth. 2021 Jul-Sep;24(3):372-374.
  5. Lee I, Koh S, Lai SH, Hwang NC. Academic Coaching of Medical Students During COVID-19 pandemic. Med Educ. 2020 Dec;54(12):1184-1185. Medical Education.
  6. Yeoh CJ, Hwang NC. Volatile Anesthesia Versus Total Intravenous Anesthesia During Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Narrative Review on the Technical Challenges and Considerations. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2020 Aug;34(8):2181-2188. Review.
  7. Jumat MR, Wong P, Foo KX, Lee ICJ, Goh SPL, Ganapathy S, Tan TY, Loh AHL, Yeo YC, Chao Y, Cheng LT, Lai SH, Goh SH, Compton S, Hwang NC. From Trial to Implementation, Bringing Team-Based Learning Online-Duke-NUS Medical School's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Med Sci Educ. 2020 Aug 4:1-6. Medical Education.
  8. MR Jumat, PKH Chow, JC Allen, SH Lai, NC Hwang, J Iqbal, MUS Mok, A Rapisarda, JM Velkey, D Engle, S Compton. Grit protects medical students from burnout: a longitudinal study. BMC Med Educ. 2020 Aug 12;20(1):266. Medical Education.
  9. Phoon PHY, Hwang NC. Deep Sternal Wound Infection: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2020 Jun;34:1602-1613. Review. 
  10. Wong PY, Raihan Jumat, Cheng IJL, Foo KX, Goh SPL, Sashikumar Ganapathy, Lai SH, Hwang NC. Redesigning team-based learning facilitation for an online platform to deliver preclinical curriculum: a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. MedEdPublish 2020/6/25. Medical Education.
  11. S Desai, Hwang NC. Strategies for left ventricular decompression during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation - A narrative review. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2020 Jan;34(1):208-218. Review.
  12. Phoon PHY, MacLaren G, Ti LK, Tan JSK, Hwang NC. History and Current Status of Cardiac Anesthesia in Singapore. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2019 Dec;33(12):3394-3401.
  13. Chow SY, Hwang NC. Update on anesthesia management for explantation of veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adult patients. Ann Card Anaesth. 2019 Oct-Dec;22(4):422-429. Review.
  14. Lie SA, Hwang NC. Challenges of Brain death and apnea testing in adult patients on Extracorporeal Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation - A Review. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2019;33(8):2266-2272. Review.
  15. Chew STH, Hwang NC. Acute Kidney Injury After Cardiac Surgery: A Narrative Review of the Literature. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2019 Apr;33(4):1122-1138. Review.
  16. Koh LY, Hwang NC. Frailty in Cardiac Surgery. J Cardiothorac Vascular Anesthesia 2019;33(2):521-531. Review.
  17. Hwang KY, Hwang NC. Facilitating noncardiac surgery for the patient with left ventricular assist device: A guide for the anesthesiologist. Ann Card Anaesth. 2018;21(4):351-362. Review.
  18. Koh BLY, Hwang NC. Cardiac surgery in the frail patient: managing the increased risks. Heart and metabolism 2018;76. Review.
  19. Desai SR, Hwang NC. Advances in Left Ventricular Assist Devices and Mechanical Circulatory Support. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2018;32:1193-213. Review. 
  20. Mazer CD, Whitlock RP, Fergusson DA, Belley-Cote E, Connolly K, Khanykin B, Gregory AJ, de Médicis É, Carrier FM, McGuinness S, Young PJ, Byrne K, Villar JC, Royse A, Grocott HP, Seeberger MD, Mehta C, Lellouche F, Hare GMT, Painter TW, Fremes S, Syed S, Bagshaw SM, Hwang NC, Royse C, Hall J, Dai D, Mistry N, Thorpe K, Verma S, Jüni P, Shehata N; TRICS Investigators and Perioperative Anesthesia Clinical Trials Group. Six-Month Outcomes after Restrictive or Liberal Transfusion for Cardiac Surgery N Engl J Med. 2018;379:1224-33.
  21. Ying Ci Ho, Sek Koon Boey, Abey Matthew Varughese Mathews, Hooi Geok See, Nian Chih Hwang. An unusual case of a parturient with uncorrected pentalogy of Fallot presenting for elective cesarean section delivery of twins. Anesth Essays Res. 2018 Jan-Mar;12:267-270.
  22. Mazer CD, Whitlock RP, Fergusson DA, Hall J, Belley-Cote E, Connolly K, Khanykin B, Gregory AJ, de Médicis É, McGuinness S, Royse A, Carrier FM, Young PJ, Villar JC, Grocott HP, Seeberger MD, Fremes S, Lellouche F, Syed S, Byrne K, Bagshaw SM, Hwang NC, Mehta C, Painter TW, Royse C, Verma S, Hare GMT, Cohen A, Thorpe KE, Jüni P, Shehata N; TRICS Investigators and Perioperative Anesthesia Clinical Trials Group. Restrictive or Liberal Red-Cell Transfusion for Cardiac Surgery. N Engl J Med. 2017 Nov;377(22):2133-2144.
  23. LA Zeng, NC Hwang. Trends in cardiac anaesthesia. Trends in Anaesthesia and Critical Care. 2016;9:35-42.
  24. Hwang NC. Preventive Strategies for Minimizing Hemodilution in the Cardiac Surgery Patient During Cardiopulmonary Bypass. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Dec 2015; 29(6):1663-1671.
  25. Kothandan H, Ho VK, Yeo KK, Hwang NC. Anesthesia management for MitraClip device implantation. Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia 2014; 17:17-22.
  26. See Tho VY, Tan HL, Hwang NC Anaesthesia for transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Trends in Anaesthesia and Critical Care. 2013; 3:295–301.
  27. Yeo KK, Ding ZP, Chua YL, Lim ST, Sin KY, Tan JW, Chiam PT, Hwang NC, Koh TH. Percutaneous mitral valve repair with MitraClip for severe functional mitral regurgitation. Singapore Med J. 2013 Jan;54(1):e9-e12.
  28. Marriott AJ, Hwang NC, Lai FO, Tan CK, Tan YM, Lim CH, Boey SK, Tay SM, Cheow PC, Lim YP, Chan T, Loh K, Kwok B, Chung A, Sivathasan C. Combined heart-liver transplantation with extended cardiopulmonary bypass. Singapore Med J. 2011 Mar;52(3):e48-51.
  29. Chao VT, Chua YL, Chiam PT, Lee CY, See Tho VY, Tan SY, Sin YK, Hwang NC, Lim ST, Koh TH. Percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve replacement: first transapical implant in Asia. Singapore Med J. 2010 Jan;51(1):69-72.
  30. Chiam PT, Koh TH, Chao VT, Lee CY, See Tho VY, Tan SY, Lim ST, Hwang NC, Sin YK, Chua YL. Percutaneous transcatheter aortic valve replacement: first transfemoral implant in Asia. Singapore Med J. 2009 May;50(5):534-537.
  31. Puthucheary J, Graham D, Gullo C, Hwang NC, Oon L, Tan SY, Cook S. Body & Disease 2008: An Integrated Course Teaching Pathology, Pharmacology, Immunology and Microbiology. SGH Proceedings 01/2009;18(2):55-60.
  32. Hwang NC, Paramvir Singh, Chua YL. Quadriparesis after cardiac surgery: a case report. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2008 Aug;22(4):587-589.
  33. Thong Sze Ying, Hwang NC. Less traumatic method of inserting nasotracheal tube in children. Pediatric Anesthesia 2008;18:355-356.
  34. Tan KH, Lai FO, Hwang NC. Measurement of cardiac output using Physio Flow with different positions of electrode placement. Singapore Med J. 2006 Nov;47(11):967-970.
  35. T Chan, Hwang NC, Lim CH. A statistical analysis of factors predisposing patients to heparin resistance. Perfusion 2006;21:99-103.
  36. Hwang NC. Anaesthesia and Analgesia for Thoracic Trauma and Surgery. ASEAN Journal of Anaesthesiology 2006;7:17-28.
  37. Teo LM, Hwang NC. The effect of continuing ACE inhibitors on the plasma concentration of bradykinin during cardiopulmonary bypass. SGH Proceedings 2003;12(3):170-175.  
  38. Tan LH, Hwang NC. The effect of mixing lidocaine with propofol on the dose of propofol required for induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia & Analgesia. 2003 Aug;97(2):461-464.
  39. M Supandji. Hwang NC. Routine administration of antiemetic agent for dentoalveolar surgery under general anaesthesia may not be necessary with the ‘FASTER’ regime. ASEAN Journal of Anaesthesiology 2003;4(1):4-8.
  40. Lee P, Hwang NC. Intra-operative harvesting and re-infusion of autologous blood for cardiac surgery – Does it make a difference to the post-operative haematocrit and coagulation profile? – Audit of an institutional practice. SGH Proceedings 2002; 11(4):255-258.
  41. Sie MY, Hwang NC. Laryngoscopic findings using the plastic disposable and the metal non-disposable Macintosh laryngoscopes: a preliminary study. ASEAN Journal of Anaesthesiology 2002; 3(2):73-75.
  42. Yeo SN, Hwang NC. Quality of induction with small doses of propofol: clinical and bispectral analysis. SGH Proceedings 2002; 11(1):13-16.
  43. Ng JM, Hwang NC. Inhalation of nitrous oxide reduces the induction dose of propofol. Anesthesia and Analgesia 2000; 90:1213-1216.
  44. Hwang NC, Shankar S, Ong BC, Leong CK, Chin E, Chua YL, Tan YS, Ng J. Changing the institutional practice of prolonged mechanical ventilation after cardiac surgery to early extubation. Ann Acad Med Singapore 1999; 28:534-541.
  45. Ruban P, Hwang NC, Chris Ip-Yam. Mask Bi-level Positive Pressure (BIPAP) ventilation in the treatment of diaphragmatic palsy following interscalene nerve block. SGH Proceedings 1998;7(4).
  46. Chan YW, Kong CF, Kong CS, Hwang NC, Ip-Yam PC. The intubating laryngeal mask (ILM) - Preliminary experience. British Journal of Anaesthesia 1998;81:610-611.
  47. Sim KM, Hwang NC, Chan YW, Seah CS. Use of patient controlled analgesia with alfentanil for burns dressing procedures: a preliminary report of five patients. Burns 1996; 22(3):238-241.

Books

  1.     NC Hwang, LL Ooi (eds) 2004, Acute Surgical Management, World Scientific Publication Company Singapore. ISBN 981-238-681-5.
  2.     NC Hwang (ed.), 1998, Anaesthesia - A Practical Handbook, Oxford University Press. Singapore ISBN 0 19 588422 1.
  3.     NC Hwang, M SINCLAIR, 1997, Cardiac Anaesthesia - A Practical Handbook, Oxford University Press. Oxford, UK. Available in hard- & softcover. ISBN 0-19-262836-4.
  4.     NC Hwang, 1995, Fibreoptic Guided Tracheal Intubation - A Practical Approach, McGraw-Hill Book Company. ISBN 0-07-113379-8.

Chapters

  1.     Nian Chih Hwang and Priscilla Hui Yi Phoon. Perioperative Management of Cardiac Surgical Emergency. In: Evidence-Based Practice in Perioperative Cardiac Anesthesia and Surgery. 2020. Eds: Davy C. H. Cheng, Janet Martin, Tirone David. Springer. 303-313.