HSA Cardiology decides on non-invasive cath lab

Dr Tamer Tadros, HSA
Medical Director

By Shurna Robbins
shurna@caymannetnews.com

Monday,  December 19, 2005

The Health Services Authority (HSA) is laying the groundwork to install a non-invasive catherisation laboratory on the Island, which will enable cardiologists to diagnose heart conditions more accurately.

Since this cath lab will focus on diagnosis rather than treatment, it does not fully resolve the issue that erupted earlier this year by a leading cardiologist and other medical doctors who said it was imperative to treat heart attacks on the Island rather than transporting patients overseas.

HSA Medical Director, Dr Tamer Tadros, said the decision to go with a non-invasive versus an invasive cath lab was not about the expense. It was about the infrastructure needed to support it around the clock a day for a small number of patients that require treatment with an invasive cath lab.

“An invasive cath lab requires experienced doctors and experienced technicians and a high volume of patients so (doctors) can maintain their skills and guarantee the best healthcare for patients,” said Dr Tadros.

“If there is not a high volume of patients then doctors will lose their skills. There is a reason that in the US, patients with specific problems find centres with the highest volume.”

He explained that a combination of keeping specially trained doctors and technicians on standby 24 hours, the low volume of patients and the expense of the invasive cath lab is a poor allocation of resources.

“It is a bad equation if you lose your priority and concentrate on diseases with a low volume and take attention away from diseases that dominate such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, breast cancer and prostrate cancer,” he said.

Dr Tadros said that an invasive cath lab is not being ruled out in the future. If the island became a medical destination for cardiovascular services and therefore attract a large volume of patients, it would make an invasive cath lab feasible.

He said that he would work if there were doctors interested in establishing a specialty centre for cardiovascular disease.

“I would collaborate and HSA would collaborate as soon as possible, because it would be good for the Island and it would be good for everyone. We are not closing the door. We are opening the door, but only for the right reasons,” he said.

With regards to the non-invasive cath lab, Dr Tadros said a large portion of the patients sent overseas are using the non-invasive cath lab so bringing in that service on island will improve patient care as well as cut down on costs.

Furthermore, if a patient is sent overseas for further treatment, the cath lab reports can be sent electronically to the treating cardiologist for review before the patient arrives. The reports can also be used for a second opinion.

The non-invasive cath lab is expected to be up and running in the summer of 2006, primarily, because it will be funded with the new budget starting on 1 July. It will also allow time for a new cardiologist, who is expected to come on board in March 2006, to be involved in the process.

Currently, HSA is negotiating with a cardiologist from Germany who will come on board on a full-time basis. He has significant experience with a non-invasive cath lab. Until he comes on board, HSA has a locum cardiologist on staff who is providing cardiology treatment.

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