Waikato cardiac physiologist a world beater

Monday, 10 January 2011, 10:34 am
Press Release: Waikato DHB

Waikato cardiac physiologist a world beater

Sacha Levings, a clinical cardiac physiologist at Waikato Hospital, is in the top six per cent of her profession in the world after sitting her International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners exam.

She was one of 624 people worldwide, with two from New Zealand, who sat the exam and her results put in the world’s top six per cent. The qualification formalises Ms Levings’ ability to teach trainee physiologists and to function independently.

The 29-year-old, raised in Katikati and educated at Hillcrest High School in Hamilton, received a Bachelor of Physical Education from Otago University and completed postgraduate diplomas in health science from Auckland University and then medical technology at Otago.

Her speciality is cardiac pacing (to treat slow heart rhythms) and internal cardioverter defibrillator (which treat malignant fast heart rhythms.

“I work closely with all cardiologists, particularly those involved with pacing and electrophysiology.

“When the cardiologists are implanting the pacemakers or defibrillators our role is to provide technical support and advice to ensure that the devices will function appropriately.

“This involves measuring electrical signals in the heart along with the resistance between the device and the patient's heart. We also use computers to programme the devices to meet the patient's individual needs,” she said.

Cardiologist Dr Clyde Wade said Ms Levings’ excellent results came as no surprise to him and the rest of the cardiology team at Waikato Hospital.

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“Sacha is one of 12 physiologists and trainees in the cardio-respiratory investigation unit and her results are not only a tribute to her efforts but also to the high professional standards set by the hospital's cardio-respiratory physiologists.

“It is fair to say that our unit could not function without them,” said Dr Wade.

Waikato DHB has more than 3000 patients with pacemakers or defibrillators throughout the region.

“We check the patients and their devices routinely; this includes visiting out reach clinics in places such as New Plymouth, Thames, Gisborne, Rotorua and Taupo.

“In additional to seeing the patients at clinics we can also check some devices remotely (via the internet). In this role we function as independent practitioners adjusting the pacing functions as required for each patient,” said Ms Levings, who is married to a banker and plays competitive hockey in Hamilton.

“As well as my specialist role in pacing I am involved in all the other procedures in the cardiology and respiratory laboratories.”

These include the whole range of cardiac catheterisation procedures including: stenting and ballooning of narrowed arteries; measuring pressures in the chambers and across valves of the heart; transcutaneous aortic valve implants; ballooning of aortic valves; and repair of ASD and PFO (holes in the heart) with specialist closure devices.

Also performed within the department are exercise testing (including pharmacological stress and nuclear medicine studies), analysis of heart rhythms and blood pressure from ambulatory monitors and comprehensive respiratory function tests.

“My next step is learning more complex aspects of electrophysiology investigations, diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders.

“This includes electrophysiological studies which involves a cardiologist inserting multipolar electrode catheters into the heart and the physiologist carrying out analysis in conjunction with complex computer equipment. The most complex of these involves image fusion of CT scans with three dimensional recording of intracardiac signals to form detailed maps of cardiac anatomy and electrical activation,” said Ms Levings.

ENDS

Waikato District Health Board

Healthy People. Excellent Care

Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.