Cardiac care
At Ramsay Private Hospital National Capital, your heart health is our priority. Here you will find holistic, tailored care for a wide range of cardiac conditions.
From diagnosis to treatment and recovery, the cardiac care team is here for you.
It's not uncommon for people who have heart conditions to have other health issues at well. At Greenslopes, specialists and teams frequently work together across disciplines to provide complete, personalised care. With a broad range of services on site, at Ramsay Private Hospital National Capital you'll find more of the care you need in one place.
Why choose Ramsay Private Hospital National Capital for your cardiac care?
A range of services
As part of Australia’s largest private hospital network, we are home to a broad range of cardiac and cardiothoracic services, including many of the latest treatments.
Holistic, tailored care
We believe in a multidisciplinary, holistic approach. This means your care will be tailored to your circumstances and goals.
State-of-the-art facilities
Ramsay Private Hospital National Capital's advanced facilities can be used to deliver world-leading cardiac care. Our coronary care unit, acute cardiac ward, cardiac catheter laboratory, hybrid theatre, and intensive care unit are all equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
Virtual Heart Failure Service
As part of Ramsay Health Care, we can streamlessly connect you to Ramsay Home Health's Virtual Heart Failure Service. With round-the-clock heart monitoring and support from specialist cardiac nurses, the VHFS is designed to help you spend less time in hospital so you can focus on the things you love.
Find a specialist
Our multi-disciplinary team include leaders in their field. Contact your chosen specialist to discuss your needs and book an appointment.
Diagnostic cardiac services
Diagnostic cardiac procedures are designed to diagnose, evaluate or monitor a heart condition. Depending on the procedure, they can be performed by a range of different specialists, including cardiologists and electrophsyiologists. These specialists may also be assisted by other medical professionals, such as imagining technicians or specialist nurses. Click on the plus sign (+) on the right-hand side of any heading to learn more.
Angiography
Angiography is an imaging procedure that uses a special dye to outline your blood flow through the vessels. This dye is injected into either the femoral artery in your groin or the radial artery in your wrist.
Angiography is a versatile procedure that can be used in a variety of ways. Coronary angiography can be used to check for blockages in your heart, while peripheral angiography can be used to look for blockages in the arteries to your lower limbs. There is also CT angiography, which can be used to look at multiple different organ systems.
Electrical physiology studies (EPS)
An electrical physiology study is a minimally invasive procedure that tests the electrical activity and conduction pathways of your heart. It’s done by placing thin wire electrodes directly onto your heart. EPS is a versatile procedure that can be used to identify the cause of symptoms like heart palpitations, dizzy spells and blackouts.
Loop recorder insertion
A loop recorder is a small device that’s implanted under the skin on your chest to monitor your heart’s rhythm. If you become light-headed or feel heart palpitations, you can turn on the loop recorder to record your heart rhythm while you’re experiencing the symptom. This allows your cardiologist to review and interpret the rhythm to help them figure out the best way to manage your condition.
Trans-oesophegeal echocardiogram (TOE)
Trans-oesophegeal echocardiogram (also known as TOE) is a procedure that uses ultrasound to look at your heart’s chambers and valves. It’s done by passing a probe through your mouth and into your oesophagus. This is always done under anaesthetic or heavy sedation.
Interventional cardiac procedures
Interventional cardiac procedures are designed to treat, repair or help manage a heart condition. They are generally performed by interventional cardiologists or cardiothoracic surgeons. Click on the plus sign (+) on the right-hand side of any heading to learn more.
Angioplasty and stenting
Angioplasty is a procedure used to open up a narrowed artery. This is done to improve blood flow and prevent dangerous blockages.
Angioplasty is performed by inserting a small cylindrical balloon in the narrowed section of your artery. When inflated, the balloon stretches your artery wall and compresses any fatty plaque or cholesterol in the area.
If you have angioplasty, your surgeon might insert a stent as well. This is a very fine mesh cylinder that acts as scaffolding, supporting the walls of your artery. Stents are permanent – once inserted, they cannot be removed.
Atrial septal defect and patent foramen ovale closures
Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital condition where there is hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart. It’s commonly called a ‘hole in the heart’ and can often go unnoticed and undiagnosed for years.
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a similar condition, where an opening between the left and right upper chambers of the heart fails to close over properly after birth, leaving a flap. This opening is normal in utero but usually closes within a year after birth.
Both ASD and PFO can be treated with a minimally invasive procedure. A closure device is implanted in the wall of the heart, where it can close up the hole. This is positioned via a catheter inserted in the femoral vein (in the groin).
Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT)
Cardiac resynchronisation therapy uses a pacemaker to help correct the rhythm of your heartbeat. The CRT pacemaker helps coordinate the timing of your upper and lower heart chambers.
Coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG)
Coronary artery bypass grafts allow your blood to take a different route, avoiding blockages in your coronary arteries. These blockages are usually made up of calcium and fatty deposits known as plaque.
A coronary artery bypass graft is an open-heart surgery, which means your surgeon will need to open up your chest. Grafts are usually created using a vein from the leg and an artery from behind the sternum.
CABG procedures are sometimes performed with the help of a heart-lung machine, and sometimes without it (which is known as ‘off pump’). Your surgeon’s approach will depend on your case, and they will discuss this decision with you.
Pacemaker insertion and lead extraction
A pacemaker is a medical device used to regulate an irregular or slow heartbeat. It does this using electrical impulses, which are delivered by electrodes attached to the heart.
Implanting a pacemaker is a common and minimally invasive surgery. It takes about an hour and is usually performed under sedation with a local anaesthetic.
Lead extraction is a procedure used to remove pacemaker leads. It’s often done to resolve an infection, remove excess or faulty leads, or get rid of leads that pose a risk of arrhythmia or perforation.
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is another term for coronary angioplasty. It’s a procedure used to treat the narrowed arteries caused by coronary heart disease. This is done by inserting a small balloon into the narrowed part of your artery, then inflating it to stretch open that section. Your surgeon will usually then insert a fine mesh cylinder (known as a stent) to permanently support the artery walls.
Radio frequency ablation (RFA)
Radio frequency ablation is a procedure that uses heat to destroy (or “ablate”) unwanted tissues like tumours. This heat is produced by radio waves. RFA is minimally invasive and can also be used to treat chronic pain.
Structural heart interventions
Structural heart interventions are procedures used to repair the structure of your heart. Many structural heart conditions are present at birth – for example, septal defects (also known as a hole in the heart).
Transaortic valve implantation (TAVI)
Transaortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a revolutionary procedure for people with severe aortic stenosis who would otherwise be considered too high-risk for surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). The TAVI procedure is minimally invasive, which usually means a quicker recovery and a shorter hospital stay.
To perform the TAVI procedure, your surgeon will squeeze your replacement valve onto a balloon, then use a catheter to move the new valve into the correct position in your heart. This can be done without opening your chest or using the heart-lung pump. Once your replacement valve is inside your faulty valve, your surgeon will inflate the balloon, perfectly positioning the new valve.
Your replacement valve will be made of natural animal heart tissue (usually from a cow or a pig) and a nickel-titanium frame. It will also have three thin flaps called 'leaflets’, which will control your blood flow in the same way as your natural valve leaflets do.
Most people spend three to ten days in hospital following their procedure, although this varies from patient to patient. When you leave the hospital, your doctor could recommend moving into a cardiac rehabilitation facility. They will also give you all the advice you need for managing your recovery. This could include:
- medications, such as blood thinners
- any restricted activities
- follow-up appointments
- safety advice (such as what you need to know before getting an MRI or having dental work done)
Valve repair and replacement (aortic and mitral)
Your heart has four valves, which allow blood to flow in for oxygenation, then back out again to carry that fresh oxygen around your body. For your heart to work properly, all four of these valves need to be able to fully open, then tightly seal to prevent blood from flowing in the wrong direction. This process is controlled by thin flaps called ‘leaflets’.
Over time, your valves can weaken, resulting in leaks. You can also develop calcium deposits on your leaflets. Either of these conditions can make it difficult for your valves to open and close properly.
Valve surgery is used to repair or replace these vital parts of your heart. It can be performed on any of your four valves, although aortic and mitral valve surgeries are more common. Valve surgery is open-heart surgery, which means your surgeon will need to open up your chest. They will then either repair your damaged valve by pushing it permanently open or replace it by cutting out the old valve and sewing in a new one.
Replacement valves can be synthetic or made of tissue from a human or an animal. If your new valve is synthetic, you’ll need to take blood thinners for the rest of your life. If your new valve is made of tissue, it will likely need to be replaced down the track – usually anywhere from eight years onwards.
Getting ready for surgery or treatment?
Complete your admission form and find everything you need for your stay on our admission page.