The Cardiac Unit at Mater Dei Hospital celebrated the 15th anniversary of its setting up today with a visit by Health Minister Joseph Cassar, who congratulated the staff for the results that are being achieved.

Dr Cassar said the unit, originally set up at St Luke's Hospital, has blossomed into a showcase in the Mediterranean.

The past 15 years witnessed the unit perform 5,500 open heart surgeries and 13 heart transplants along with thousands of other procedures including 35,000 angiograms.

The most recent development was a procedure last week where surgeons inserted a device, known as a Stavi, to widen a narrow heart valve.

Rather than open heart surgery, the procedure only requires a small opening in the chest or a leg. The procedure is particularly useful for elderly people who cannot go through the stress of heat surgery.

The pioneers of the Cardiac Unit, professors Albert Fenech and Alex Manche, paid tribute to their staff. Mr Fenech said the mortality rate in the unit was one of the lowest in the world and was decreasing. Mr Manche' said patients were given top priority by all the members of the staff, who worked closely as a team.

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