Cardiac Unit celebrates 15 years of success
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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Anna Grech
Jul 8th 2010, 19:06
Well done! our doctors do credit to Malta wherever they are better still when in Malta. As a Maltese I am very proud of our doctors and the health departments where the majority of the personnel that man the various departments work with dedication. The medical sector is not only a profession but a mission. Thank you! May God bless them all!
Joe Grima
Jul 8th 2010, 16:06
I am not in the least impressed. We had a family member who underwent a bypass operation recently and ended up reduced to something like a vegetable. No information from the doctor who operated on him, no explanations. Did he get a stroke test before being operated? We dont know. Did he get a stress test ? We dont know. All we were told was that 2% of bypass operations do not work out and that he was one of the 2%.Thanks for nothing. As the saying goes" doctors get praised for their successes and they bury their mistakes". It is funny when you read it in a book. It's not funny when it happenes to your own.
Ramon Mangion
Jul 8th 2010, 16:54
@Joe Grima,
Whilst I understand you as my mum had a triple bypass in 2005 and an angioplasty in 2007 . There is always the risk, in any medical procedure, even a small cut can result in a serious infection.
M.BEZZINA
Jul 8th 2010, 22:46
If you go on google there is plenty about what can happen to you after a CABG. Yes there is a chance that you'll get a CVA.But in every operation you do there is a risk!!There are no tests/investigations to can identify if you are going to have a CVA before an operation.Nobody is going to give you a gurantee about this but they can at least mention the prons and cons during the consent by the consultant pre-op!! To my knowledge this op. is very successful and patients are most of them sent home between 3-4days post-op giving that no post-op complications arises!!
michaeldegiorgio
Jul 8th 2010, 15:53
WOULD LIKE TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE TEAM IN THIS UNIT AS 10 YEARS AGO I HAD ATRIPLE BYPASS AND IT BECAUSE OF THERE DEDICATION THAT I AM STILL HERE SOUND AND IN GOOD HEALTH MAY GOD KEEP HIS GRACIOUS HAND ON ALL OF YOU
JOHN O SCERRI
Jul 8th 2010, 14:13
If it were not for the professional job these team players do , some of us would not be here today to write our comments.
There are no words which can describe how grateful we are towards the cardiac unit .
Our heart was in your hands , you stopped it, worked on it , repaired it, revived it and made us live a new life once more.
Thankyou for being life savers .
Frank Portelli 2BFRANK
Jul 8th 2010, 13:42
Well done all the Doctors and Nursing Staff
keep it up
Frank Portelli
elena tanti burlo
Jul 8th 2010, 13:07
Thank you all for always being there for us and for making us feel safe.
A. Grech
Jul 8th 2010, 12:41
A personal big Thank You to my Cardiologist Mr. Joe Galea ta' Ghawdex.
a.sciberras
Jul 8th 2010, 11:37
well done and a heart ful thank you. keep it up guys.
this unit should be honoured with Gieh Ir Republika
victor pulis
Jul 8th 2010, 11:36
These are the unsung heroes who are saving people's lives everyday and yet they are hardly ever thanked. I'm sure I am speaking for all the thousands of patients whe I say a very big thank you to all the consultants and staff. Well done we are eternally in your debt.
g.c.Forte
Jul 8th 2010, 11:36
I went through this unit in 2002.....................What I have to say is just.........THANK YOU ALL.....You are doing a GREAT JOB..........With all the prayers you are getting, there is a very nice place ready for all of you in heaven. Keep up the good work, and GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
Simone Zerafa
Jul 8th 2010, 11:03
Well done to all consultants, surgeons and staff pertaining to the Cardiac Unit - MDH. They do their job with dedication and with excellence and are committed to give priority to the patient's health. Keep up the good work and God bless you all for your work infavour of the patient.
F.Fenech
Jul 8th 2010, 10:52
Well done and a very big thank you to these two gentleman, no need for any more comments.
M Paris
Jul 8th 2010, 10:57
And to a most dedicated staff