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Clin Assoc Prof Sim Kheng Leng David

Clin Assoc Prof Sim Kheng Leng David

​MBBS, MMed (Int Med), MRCP(UK)

Head & Senior Consultant

National Heart Centre Singapore

Specialty: Cardiology

Sub-specialties: Heart Failure, Heart Transplant

Conditions Treated by this Doctor:
Cardiovascular Disease, Heart Failure, Heart Transplant.

Clinical Appointments

  • Head & Senior Consultant Department of Cardiology National Heart Centre SingaporeNational Heart Centre Singapore
  • Director of Heart Failure Programme National Heart Centre SingaporeNational Heart Centre Singapore
  • Director of Clinical Trials National Heart Centre SingaporeNational Heart Centre Singapore
  • Senior Consultant SingHealth Duke-NUS Transplant Centre

Profile

Clinical Associate Professor David Sim is the Head and Senior Consultant with the Department of Cardiology, Director of the Heart Failure Programme and Director of Clinical Trials at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS). He is also the Project Director for the Advanced Care Planning Programme in the National Heart Centre Singapore. He was the Deputy Head of Department of Cardiolgy at NHCS from 2022 to May 2023.

He is a Clinical Associate Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School, and an Honorary Visiting Consultant at Dover Park Hospice, Singapore. Clin Assoc Prof Sim received a Fellowship in Heart Failure/Heart Transplant at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, and is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians, UK. He is also an Advisor to the Shastin National Heart Centre of Mongolia.

Clin Assoc Prof Sim plays an active role in various research projects and clinical trials and is the National Leader for Singapore for a few key global pharmacological heart failure trials.

His subspecialty interest is in Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation.

Education

  • Royal College of Physicians (UK) diploma, 2004
  • Masters of Medicine (Internal Medicine), National University of Singapore, 2004
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, National University of Singapore, 2004

Professional Appointments and Committee Memberships

  • Head, Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore, 1 June 2023 - Present 
  • Deputy Head, Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore, 2022 - 31 May 2023
  • Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, National Heart Centre Singapore
  • Director of Heart Failure Programme, National Heart Centre Singapore
  • Director of Clinical Trials, National Heart Centre Singapore, May 2020 to Present
  • Clinical Associate Professor, Duke-NUS Medical School
  • ​Member of the Royal College of Physicians, UK since 2004
  • Vice President of the Heart Failure Society (Singapore)

Awards

  • SingHealth Residency Outstanding Faculty Award Academic Year 2015/2016
  • Health Services Development Programme Award 2011 (Ministry of Health Singapore): Ultrafiltration for Heart Failure (Project Director)
  • SingHealth Best Registrar Award 2008
  • SingHealth Health Manpower Development Plan Award 2008

Research Interests

  • ​Pharmacological agents in the treatment of heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction
  • Advance care planning in heart failure patients
  • Mechanical circulatory support devices in advance heart failure 

Publications

  • Electrocardiographical case. Elderly man with acute breathlessness. Atrial tachycardia with variable AV conduction block and transient hyperkalaemia-induced aberrant conduction. Sim D, Chia S, Ching CK, Chua T.  Singapore Med J. 2007 May;48(5):475-7; quiz 478. 
  • Growth differentiation factor 15, ST2, high-sensitivity troponin T, and N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide in heart failure with preserved vs. reduced ejection fraction. Santhanakrishnan R, Chong JP, Ng TP, Ling LH, Sim D, Leong KT, Yeo PS, Ong HY, Jaufeerally F, Wong R, Chai P, Low AF, Richards AM, Lam CS. Eur J Heart Fail. 2012 Dec;14(12):1338-47. doi: 10.1093/eurjhf/hfs130. Epub 2012 Aug 5.
  • Successful clearance of human parainfluenza virus type 2 viraemia with intravenous ribavirin and immunoglobulin in a patient with acute myocarditis. Kalimuddin S, Sessions OM, Hou Y, Ooi EE, Sim D, Cumaraswamy S, Tan TE, Lai SH, Low CY. J Clin Virol. 2013 Jan;56(1):37-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2012.10.005. Epub 2012 Nov 6.
  • Myocardial contractile dysfunction associated with increased 3-month and 1-year mortality in hospitalized patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. Liang Zhong, Kenneth K.C. Ngb, Ling Ling Sim, John Carson Allen, Yee How Lau, David K.L. Sim, Raymond K.K. Lee, Kian Keong Poh, Terrance S.J. Chua, Bernard W.K. Kwok, Ru San Tan. Int J Cardiol. 2013 Oct 3;168(3):1975-83. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2012.12.084. Epub 2013 Jan 19.
  • Peripartum cardiomyopathy: experience in an Asian tertiary centre. Lim CP, Sim KL. Singapore Med J. 2013 Jan;54(1):24-7.
  • The Singapore Heart Failure Outcomes and Phenotypes (SHOP) Study and Prospective Evaluation of Outcome in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (PEOPLE) Study: Rationale and Design. Santhanakrishnan R, Ng TP, Cameron VA, Gamble GD, Ling LH, Sim D, Leong GK, Yeo PS, Ong HY, Jaufeerally F, Wong RC, Chai P, Low AF, Lund M, Devlin G, Troughton R, Richards AM, Doughty RN, Lam CS. J Card Fail. 2013 Mar;19(3):156-62. doi: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2013.01.007. 
  • Post-implantation transcatheter aortic valve migration in a left ventricular assist device patient with severe aortic insufficiency. Ong BH, Chiam PT, Sim DK, Tan TE. Eur Heart J. 2014 Jun 21;35(24):1616. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/eht516. Epub 2013 Dec 13.
  • Use of Left Ventricular Assist Device (HeartMate II): A Singapore Experience. Lim CP, Sivathasan C, Tan TE, Lim CH, Kerk KL, Sim DK. Artif Organs. 2014 Jul;38(7):543-8. doi: 10.1111/aor.12247. Epub 2014 Jan 7.
  • Advance care planning for patients with heart failure in a multiethnic South East asian cohort. Sim DK, Tan SH, Tan BC, Neo CL, Wong G. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2013 Jun;3(2):257-8. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2013-000491.85.
  • Predictors of mortality in acute heart failure: interaction between diabetes and impaired left ventricular ejection fraction.  Go YY, Allen JC, Chia SY, Sim LL, Jaufeerally FR, Yap J, Ching CK, Sim D, Kwok B, Liew R. Eur J Heart Fail. 2014 Nov;16(11):1183-9. doi: 10.1002/ejhf.119. Epub 2014 Jun 5.
  • Outcomes of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in a Southeast Asian cohort. Hoong CW, Lim CP, Gao F, Chen Q, Kawa LB, Ching CK, Sim DK.  J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2015 Sep;16(9):583-90. doi: 10.2459/JCM.0000000000000100.
  • Imaging Cardiac Sarcoidosis by Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography (PET): A Local Experience Using a High-Fat, Low-to-No Carbohydrate Protocol. Koh AS, Kok TY, Sim DK, Lath N, Tan RS. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2014 Jul;43(7):383-5.
  • Iron deficiency in a multi-ethnic Asian population with and without heart failure: prevalence, clinical correlates, functional significance and prognosis. Yeo TJ, Yeo PS, Ching-Chiew Wong R, Ong HY, Leong KT, Jaufeerally F, Sim D, Santhanakrishnan R, Lim SL, M Y Chan M, Chai P, Low AF, Ling LH, Ng TP, Richards AM, Lam CS. Eur J Heart Fail. 2014 Oct;16(10):1125-32. doi: 10.1002/ejhf.161. Epub 2014 Sep 11.
  • Left Ventricular Diastolic Function Assessment Using Time Differences Between Mitral Annular Velocities and Transmitral Inflow Velocities in Patients with Heart Failure. FQ Huang, RS Tan, D Sim, TT Le, L Zhong. Heart Lung Circ. 2015 Mar;24(3):257-63. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2014.09.010. Epub 2014 Oct 1.
  • Predictors of two-year mortality in Asian patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. Yap J, Sim D, Lim CP, Chia SY, Go YY, Jaufeerally FR, Sim LL, Liew R, Ching CK. Int J Cardiol. 2015 Mar 15;183:33-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2015.01.063. Epub 2015 Jan 27.
  • “Burnt out” dilated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causing acute LVAD thrombosis. Sivathasan C, Tan TE, Sim D, Kerk KL. Clin Case Rep. 2015 Jun;3(6):376-8. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.237. Epub 2015 Apr 9.
  • Growth differentiation factor 15 in heart failure with preserved vs. reduced ejection fraction. Chan MM, Santhanakrishnan R, Chong JP, Chen Z, Tai BC, Liew OW, Ng TP, Ling LH, Sim D, Leong KT, Yeo PS, Ong HY, Jaufeerally F, Wong RC, Chai P, Low AF, Richards AM, Lam CS. Eur J Heart Fail. 2016 Jan;18(1):81-8. doi: 10.1002/ejhf.431. Epub 2015 Oct 25.
  • Living with heart failure: Perspectives of patients from Singapore. Chetna Malhotra, Genevieve Cheng Sim Wong, Boon Cheng Tan, Clarice Shu Hwa Ng, Neo Chia Lee, Cindy Suck Lan Lau, David Kheng Leng Sim, Eric Andrew Finkelstein. Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare January 7, 2016. 2010105815624121. Published online before print January 7, 2016, doi: 0.1177/2010105815624121
  • Ultrafiltration in patients with decompensated heart failure and diuretic resistance: an Asian centre experience. Teo LY, Lim CP, Neo CL, Teo LW, Ng SL, Chan LH, Kaushik M, Sim KL. Singapore Med J. 2016 Jul;57(7):378-83. doi: 10.11622/smedj.2016014. Epub 2016 Jan 15.
  • Patient barriers to implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. Chan LL, Lim CP, Aung ST, Quetua P, Ho KL, Chong D, Teo WS, Sim D, Ching CK. Singapore Med J. 2016 Apr;57(4):182-7. doi: 10.11622/smedj.2016072.
  • Prevalence, Presentation, and Outcome of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction among Patients Presenting with Undifferentiated Dyspnoea to the Emergency Room: A 10-year Analysis from a Tertiary Centre. Ruan W, Lim SH, Ding ZP, Sim DK, Gao F, Gunasegaran K, Kwok BW, Tan RS. Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2016 Jan;45(1):18-26.
  • Impact of advance care planning on the care of patients with heart failure: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Malhotra C, Sim DK, Jaufeerally F, Vikas NN, Sim GW, Tan BC, Ng CS, Tho PL, Lim J, Chuang CY, Fong FH, Liu J, Finkelstein EA. Trials. 2016 Jun 10;17(1):285. doi: 10.1186/s13063-016-1414-1.
  • Ethnic differences in the association of QRS duration with ejection fraction and outcome in heart failure. Gijsberts CM, Benson L, Dahlström U, Sim D, Yeo DP, Ong HY, Jaufeerally F, Leong GK, Ling LH, Richards AM, de Kleijn DP, Lund LH, Lam CS. Heart. 2016 Sep 15;102(18):1464-71. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2015-309212. Epub 2016 Jul 11.
  • Titin-truncating variants affect heart function in disease cohorts and the general population. Schafer S, de Marvao A, Adami E, Fiedler LR, Ng B, Khin E, Rackham OJ, van Heesch S, Pua CJ, Kui M2, Walsh R, Tayal U, Prasad SK, Dawes TJ, Ko NS, Sim D, Chan LL, Chin CW, Mazzarotto F, Barton PJ, Kreuchwig F, de Kleijn DP, Totman T, Biffi C, Tee N, Rueckert D, Schneider V, Faber A, Regitz-Zagrosek V, Seidman JG, Seidman CE, Linke WA, Kovalik JP, O'Regan D, Ware JS, Hubner N, Cook S. Nat Genet. 2017 Jan;49(1):46-53. doi: 10.1038/ng.3719. Epub 2016 Nov 21.
  • Mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation in the Asia Pacific region. Sivathasan C, Lim CP, Kerk KL, Sim DK, Mehra MR. J Heart Lung Transplant. 2017 Jan;36(1):13-18. doi: 10.1016/j.healun.2016.09.006. Epub 2016 Sep 29.
  • Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Diabetes in Asian Versus White Patients With Heart Failure. Bank IE, Gijsberts CM, Teng TK, Benson L, Sim D, Yeo PS, Ong HY, Jaufeerally F, Leong GK, Ling LH, Richards AM, de Kleijn DP, Dahlström U, Lund LH, Lam CS.  JACC Heart Fail. 2016 Nov 30. pii: S2213-1779(16)30501-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jchf.2016.09.015. [Epub ahead of print]
  • Novel Use of Thalidomide in Recurrent Gastrointestinal Tract Bleeding in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices: A Case Series. Laura Lihua Chan, Choon Pin Lim, Chong Hee Lim, Teing Ee Tan, David Sim, Cumaraswamy Sivathasan. Heart Lung Circ. 2016 Dec 23. pii: S1443-9506(16)31741-3. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2016.11.017. [Epub ahead of print]
  • Understanding the Epidemiology of Heart Failure to Improve Management Practices: an Asia-Pacific Perspective. Rajadurai J, Tse HF, Wang CH, Yang NI, Zhou J, Sim D. J Card Fail. 2017 Apr;23(4):327-339. doi: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2017.01.004. Epub 2017 Jan 19
  • The Optimize Heart Failure Care Program: Initial lessons from global implementation. Cowie MR, Lopatin YM, Saldarriaga C, Fonseca C, Sim D, Magaña JA, Albuquerque D, Trivi M8, Moncada G, González Castillo BA, Sánchez MO, Chung E. Int J Cardiol. 2017 Feb 12. pii: S0167-5273(17)30746-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2017.02.033. [Epub ahead of print]
  • Heart Failure across Asia: Same healthcare burden but differences in organization of care. Eugenio B Reyes, Jong Won Ha, Isman Firdaus, Azmee Mohd Ghazi, Arintaya Phrommintikul, Sim D, Quynh Nga Vu, Chung Wah Siu, Wei Hsian Yin, Cowie MR. Int J Cardiol. 223(2016) 163-167

Research Trials

  • ​National Leader for Singapore for various Heart Failure Trials 
  • Emperor Trial 
  • Paradise MI  Trial
  • Victoria trial
  • Paragon HF trial