The cardiac centre at Netcare Sunward Park Hospital on the East Rand has reopened its upgraded catheterisation laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility where various cardiovascular diseases can be diagnosed and treated using minimally invasive interventions.
A catheterisation laboratory, or Cath Lab, is a facility with diagnostic imaging equipment used to visualise the vascular system and the chambers of the heart to accurately diagnose cardiovascular conditions and to guide treatment through minimally invasive interventions.
“Time is often critical when we are performing these minimally invasive interventions, which patients’ lives may depend on,” says cardiologist Dr Lancelot Mkhwanazi who practises at Netcare Sunward Park Hospital.
“Femoral access can be achieved in half the time, and the exceptional resolution of the imaging saves time and provides greater confidence in navigating these intricate procedures using the Artis icono biplane DSA system,” he adds.
| Pictured in the newly upgraded state-of-the-art catheterisation laboratory (Cath Lab) are Netcare Sunward Park Hospital general manager Greg Mokgoatlheng, cardiologist Dr Lancelot Mkhwanazi and person centred care officer Marinda Sardinha. |
| Hospital manager Greg Mokgoatlheng, cardiologist Dr Pieter van Wyk and nursing services manager Gwen Naidoo in the Cath Lab at Netcare Sunward Park Hospital which is equipped with a new Biplane Digital Subtraction Angiography system. |
The new biplane Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) technology recently installed enables specialists to view the heart from two different angles simultaneously. This enables them to visualise the arteries with three-dimensional clarity. The benefit is that reduced volumes of contrast agent are required with less radiation exposure compared with traditional angiography.
“The advanced new biplane DSA system now incorporated in the refurbished Cath Lab is especially advantageous for the more complex coronary interventions we are routinely performing at Netcare Sunward Park Hospital,” adds cardiologist Dr Pieter van Wyk.
Procedures including superior mesenteric artery angioplasty, as well as renal artery intervention, aortic stenting, endovascular repair of aortic aneurysm, and carotid artery intervention are performed using the new system.
“Interventions such as chronic total occlusion to clear a completely blocked coronary artery and multivessel stenting greatly benefit from enhanced visualization. This upgrade ensures that the coronary services available at Netcare Sunward Park Hospital remain on par with world-class facilities in this fast-developing area of medicine,” Dr Van Wyk says.
Earlier this year, Dr Van Wyk and his practice partner, interventional cardiologist Professor Farrel Hellig, were invited to demonstrate live educational procedures for delegates of EuroPCR 2024, the world’s foremost interventional cardiovascular conference in the French capital, Paris.
Greg Mokgoatlheng, general manager of Netcare Sunward Park Hospital, adds that the image-guided diagnostic and therapeutic system is highly versatile.
“This noteworthy addition to our facility is geared not only for interventional coronary procedures, but the new Cath Lab equipment also has applications for cerebral, pulmonary, renal and vascular angiography,” says Mokgoatlheng.
“We thank Dr Mkhwanazi, Dr Van Wyk, and their colleagues for keeping abreast of the latest techniques in their field to keep pace with the needs of the community and referring healthcare practitioners we serve in Boksburg and surrounds, supported with sophisticated equipment such as this.”
Ends
Notes to editor
Looking for a medical appointment? Netcare appointmed™ will make appointments for YOU with specialists practising at Netcare hospitals, GPs, and dentists at Medicross medical and dental centres, and specialists at Akeso mental health facilities. Simply request an appointment online at www.netcare.co.za/Request-a-medical-appointment or phone Netcare appointmed™ on 0860 555 565, Mondays to Fridays between 08:00 and 17:00.
To find out more about the services offered through Netcare hospitals and other of the Group’s facilities, please visit www.netcare.co.za or contact the Netcare customer service centre either by email at [email protected] or phone 0860 NETCARE (0860 638 2273). Note that the centre operates Mondays to Fridays from 08:00 to 16:00.
For media enquiries, contact MNA at the contact details listed below.
Issued by: MNA on behalf of Netcare Sunward Park Hospital
For media enquiries contact: Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, and Estene Lotriet-Vorster
Telephone: (011) 469 3016
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected]