Innovative cardiac
procedure improves
comfort for Sunshine
Coast patients
Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital has
started using an alternate route to reach blood
vessels during cardiac stenting and diagnostic
angiography, which investigates abnormalities
in the heart.
Clinical and interventional cardiologist Dr Stuart Butterly has
completed the hospital’s first cases using distal radial artery
access, which is performed through a small incision at the
base of the thumb.
“We use ultrasound to see the distal radial artery which is
very small. Then under the guidance of ultrasound, we are
able to put a needle into the artery, which makes way for the
catheter to the heart,” Dr Butterly said.
Traditionally, doctors gain access through the femoral artery
in the groin or the radial artery at the wrist, but that involves
a higher risk of bleeding and less patient comfort.
Some doctors in Europe and Russia have been using this
distal radial artery technique for 15 years, but it has only
become more widely popular in the past 18 months.
“International cardiologists have started to gain more of
an acceptance doing angiography this way and wanting
to do it this way – it is a better way,” Dr Butterly said.
Dr Butterly has successfully completed 22 cases using the
distal radial artery access at Sunshine Coast University
Private Hospital.
Dr Butterly decided to become trained in the procedure to
help reduce the risk of bleeding and improve the comfort
level for patients.
“This technique has been well-received by patients
who have previously had angiograms and stents via the
traditional access routes. It also provides much quicker
patient recovery and easier management of post-procedure
bleeding,” Dr Butterly said.
The Sunshine Coast interventional cardiologist was trained
to use the technique in Sydney and is one of only a few
cardiologists in Australia who is qualified in performing
the procedure.
12 The Ramsay Way 2019 | 02
Teamwork by local teachers saves colleague’s life
School teacher Mark Vivian was in the right place at the right time when he suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest
(SCA) – surrounded by colleagues who were fully trained in CPR and at a school with a defibrillator on site.
The 66-year-old grandfather and humanities teacher had
just finished a slow jog at the end of the inter-house cross
country when he collapsed.
“I’d just been talking with my colleague, when she turned
around for a few second to talk to a student. When she
turned back to me I was on the ground,” he said.
Four teachers worked together to save Mark – two taking
turns to perform CPR, one calling an ambulance and another
running to get the defibrillator. Off-duty police officer and
Prendiville parent, Paul McDonagh, also assisted.
“They saved my life,” Mark said. “The school encourages
all teachers to participate in a first-aid training course every
year – and I am so grateful for the teamwork, proficiency and
composure shown by my colleagues: Marius Ndiaye, Renea
Mayer, Sarah Fogliani and Boston Williamson.”
“They accompanied me to the hospital and kept in regular
contact. I couldn’t ask for a more supportive boss or such
caring colleagues,” he said.
Director of Cardiology at Joondalup Health Campus, Clinical
Professor Jenny Deague, confirmed the quick-actions of
Prindiville Catholic College staff had indeed saved him.
“You could not have asked for a more perfect resuscitation,”
she said. “I truly praise those teachers because they did an
unbelievably good job.”
Professor Deague said Mark arrived in the Joondalup
Emergency Department around 5.30pm at a time when
cardiologist Dr Taggu was still working in the hospital’s
cardiac catheterisation lab.
“He immediately scrubbed out and raced down to the ED
to take over the care of Mark,” she said. “Over the course
of the following days Mark was stabilised, started on
medication, had a coronary angiogram and echocardiogram
and an ICD (implantable cardiac defibrillator) inserted – and
four days later he was fit to go home," she said.
“The professionalism and teamwork of the Cardiology
team at JHC, including the doctors and nursing staff on the
Coronary Care Unit was exemplary.”
Professor Deague, who also sits on the National Heart
Foundation Board, said this story was a timely reminder of
the importance of early CPR.
20 Ramsay
hospitals have
high-quality
cardiac services
Cardiovascular
disease kills
one Australian
every 12 minutes
Free heart check-ups at Peninsula Private Hospital
Free heart health checks were given to residents on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula throughout Heart
Week to encourage people to be more proactive about their cardiovascular health.
The cardiac team and volunteers at Peninsula Private
Hospital performed non-invasive blood pressure checks
from 29 April to 3 May 2019.
Each person who had their blood pressure checked received
a ‘healthy heart passport’ containing their individual result.
Peninsula Private Hospital CEO Michelle Henderson said:
“We want to create awareness for people to think about
their heart health, to think about their health in general and
to educate people on how important it is to have regular
check-ups.”
High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking
and family history are the most common clinical factors
that increase a person’s risk of developing premature
heart disease.
Interventional, structural and pacing cardiologist, Dr Gregory
Szto said: “Some of these risk factors can be checked with
a very simple test, such as blood pressure. Sometimes the
only way to know if someone has high blood pressure is to
get a check.”
Peninsula Private Hospital offers comprehensive
cardiothoracic interventional keyhole and open-heart
surgical services, including both elective and emergency
cardiac services.
“Patients can have all their cardiac needs supplied without
having to leave the area, so you can come in with chest pain
and have all your cardiac investigations done and treated
within a short period of time,” Mrs Henderson said.
Cardiologist Dr Olivier van den Brink getting his free
blood pressure check..
Director of Cardiology Dr Jenny Deague with patient Mark Vivian and technician Graham Jenkins.