Canberra Hospital is now home to a comprehensive cardiac electrophysiology service through which two eminent cardiologists are conducting research into and treating people from the ACT and region suffering from cardiac rhythm disorders.
The launch of the expanded service means fewer public patients will need to travel interstate for vital treatment such as cardiac ablation, which scars or destroys tissue in the heart that has allowed incorrect electrical signals to cause an abnormal heartbeat.
As the study of electrical activity in the heart to identify the cause of abnormal rhythm, electrophysiology helps patients and their doctors to decide whether such conditions should be treated using medication, a pacemaker, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator or via surgery such as cardiac ablation – all of which can now be managed in the ACT.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris said work had been under way for more than two years to bring the full electrophysiology service and research program to Canberra Hospital.
"The service is providing patients from the ACT region with more timely and accurate diagnoses and treatments for various cardiac electrical problems," Minister Fitzharris said.
"Previously some patients here who would have been suitable for electrophysiology studies were being treated with medication, which is less effective and can have side effects, or were required to be transferred to interstate hospitals for care."
The Minister acknowledged the dedication of the two respected cardiologists who have worked hard to make the expansion of this service possible in the ACT.
"Both cardiologists originally trained as doctors in Canberra before heading interstate to complete their PhDs and abroad to hone their expertise in electrophysiology.
"I am confident that with their expertise our electrophysiology service here at Canberra Hospital will become one of the world's best."
ABOUT THE CLINICIANS
Dr Rajeev Pathak is the director of cardiac electrophysiology at Canberra Hospital and Associate Professor of Cardiology at the ANU Medical School. After starting his career with ACT Health,
Dr Pathak completed a PhD in cardiology at the University of Adelaide. He later undertook postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Adelaide and the University of Pennsylvania and worked as a cardiac electrophysiologist at Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System before his return to Canberra.
Dr Muayad Alasady is an award-winning Staff Specialist Cardiologist and Cardiac Electrophysiologist at the Canberra and Calvary Hospitals. He is also a Senior Lecturer at the ANU Medical School.Dr Alasady began his career in Canberra before completing his PhD at the University of Adelaide. He too has completed research and training overseas and returned to the ACT to set up the first cardiac electrophysiological service in the state at the National Capital Private Hospital in 2013.
