21st birthday for revolutionary heart treatment at Waikato

21st birthday for revolutionary heart treatment at Waikato Hospital

Waikato Hospital is celebrating 21 years of coronary angioplasty, the procedure that revolutionised the treatment of heart disease saving thousands of lives.

Angioplasty has become almost routine since 1990 when the bid for cardiac surgery and the development of a coronary angioplasty service at Waikato Hospital was first made but at the time it was a major step.

"It was a big deal back then and we are delighted to be celebrating its 21st birthday and the fact our first patient is still alive," says Waikato Hospital cardiologist Dr Clyde Wade.

[cid:image002.jpg@01CC41F3.809E5420]Angioplasty was developed in the 1970s and revolutionised coronary care by allowing cardiologists to treat blocked arteries using a tiny "balloon" to inflate them. The technique was not only successful but meant patients could often be discharged within 24 hours.

Angioplasty technology and post-procedure drug treatment were far less developed in those early days says Dr Wade. That meant a higher risk of heart attack during the procedure with the possibility of patients having to be rushed to theatre. Support from the Waikato Hospital cardiac surgical team, who remained on standby after a full day's work just in case, was vital to the success of the cardiac unit.

"That kind of support and teamwork has been a feature of the cardiac work carried out at this hospital and it wouldn't have happened without the dedicated staff from cardiology, cardiac surgery, anaesthetics, nursing, radiography and technical," he says.

Since 1990, more than 10,000 patients have undergone angioplasty at Waikato Hospital. With the introduction of a 24/7 angioplasty service in 1994, the first hospital in New Zealand to have an around the clock service, 1150 major acute heart attack patients have had the procedure within 90 minutes of arrival at the hospital - whatever the hour of the day or night.

Dr Wade says the support of the Waikato Heart Trust, http://www.waikatohearttrust.org.nz/ which has helped raise funds for equipment and training to the tune of $2 million, had been critical.

"Patients still alive 20 years after a cardiac event were once a rarity, today it's a common occurrence."
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