It is regrettable that Michael Farrugia chose to make his comments on Mater Dei Hospital and Albert Fenech's clinical practice without even a modicum of basic information on PCA and its associated risks.

It is not standard practice to have a cardiac surgical team on standby during angiography. Indeed, I personally had angiography carried out in Belfast City Hospital (N. Ireland) in 2002, a hospital which does not have a cardiac surgical unit. Sensibly, I had informed myself beforehand, knew the risks and trusted the cardiologist. Thankfully, I was not subject to a Job's comforter of Dr Farrugia's insensitivity. As for blood, I must assume that Dr Farrugia is out of date with transfusion practice. Blood, a very expensive commodity, is no longer a first-line emergency treatment, especially in PCA patients who are platelet inhibited to reduce coagulation.

Might I suggest that some background reading might be useful before any further public statement.

As for my background and experience: Myocardial infarction, May 2002. Angiography June 2002, CABG X5, September 2002 and I am a doctor working in transfusion medicine.

I'll be happy to have Prof. Fenech carry out any future angiography for me when I retire to Malta.