News

Ramsay Surgical Centre closes the hole in Illawarra heart services

Feb 14, 2019

Wollongong Private Hospital’s robust cardiology services have been further enhanced by the introduction of three new cardiac procedures, supported by a brand new cardiac catheter laboratory.

Patients affected by valve disease or structural heart conditions, no longer need to travel to Sydney hospitals for surgery and can instead opt to access the following procedures locally at Wollongong Private Hospital:

• Percutaneous closure of atrial septal defects – Corrects a hole in the heart; a condition which can sometimes be present at birth. This procedure involves implanting a small device to close the defect which can be indicated for patients who have suffered a stroke or are experiencing heart failure

• Aortic valvuloplasty – Addresses a narrowing of the aortic valve which can be a cause of heart failure in patients with aortic stenosis. The procedure relieves pressure on the heart by inflating a balloon catheter across the valve, widening the area for blood flow.

• Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) – a procedure in which the left atrial appendage is sealed using an implant, reducing the risk of blood clots that can lead to strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation. This procedure helps patients who cannot take blood thinners because of bleeding risks.

These Illawarra firsts have been initiated under Interventional Cardiologist, Dr Edward Danson, who specialises in the treatment of coronary and structural heart conditions. Dr Danson successfully completed the region’s first percutaneous closure of a septal defect and valvuloplasty in January, and later this week will perform Wollongong’s first LAAO.

Dr Danson said, “We have a really excellent team here in Wollongong delivering some of the latest and best treatments for heart disease. It’s a very exciting time for the Illawarra. I’m thrilled that our patients can now be offered these treatments without having to travel long distances away from their family and loved ones.”

These cardiac procedures are now offered at the newly opened Ramsay Surgical Centre at Wollongong Private Hospital. The addition of a new state-of-the-art catheter laboratory, solely for Cardiac related surgery, allows for more patients to be treated at the facility with a shorter waiting time for surgical treatment.