APAC Insider Issue 3 2018

6 APAC / Issue 3 2018 , Established in 1999, PCI is the largest privately-owned adult cardiology service in Western Australia. Its cardiologists provide cardiology services to almost 30% of Western Australia, a region larger than Germany and United Kingdom combined. New to the Institute’s offering is TAVI, a procedure whereby a new aortic valve is implanted in patients who have ‘aortic stenosis’ – severe narrowing of the aortic valve. It was first performed in 2002, though there have now been over 250,000 cases performed worldwide. This procedure uses the latest in medical technology and minimally invasive techniques to provide an alternative treatment in patients who are higher risk, or not suitable for open heart surgery. Having added the significant offering of TAVI to its repertoire, the Institute is excited to be able to help even more patients. Until recently, TAVI has only been available in Western Australia at Fiona Stanley Hospital, however since November 2017, it has become possible to offer this procedure to appropriate patients in a private cardiac centre. Placing an emphasis on putting the patient first, the team at PCI are experienced in providing exceptional experiences for private patients who are travelling from the Asia Pacific region, and 1801AP04 In Safe Hands Perth Cardiovascular Institute (PCI) has become one of the fastest growing private cardiac services in Australia, with a focus on providing outstanding patient care with an ethical, thoughtful and sustainable approach at all times. We profile the facility as well as Dr. Gerald Yong, whose expertise has allowed PCI to offer an exciting new service, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). require cardiology services and procedures. Talking and working with the patients from the first consultation, the team are well- versed at looking after clients. Amongst the team, and one of the crucial reasons why the facility is able to offer TAVI, is Dr. Gerald Yong. He is an interventional cardiologist, with a special interest in valvular and structural heart disease. After completing formal training in coronary intervention at Royal Perth Hospital, he then trained internationally in Chicago and Montreal in specialised percutaneous and minimally invasive operations for heart valve and structural disease. In 2009, together with a team of other professionals, Dr. Yong started and heads the High Risk Aortic Stenosis Service and TAVI program in Western Australia. This State program was the sole provider of TAVI in WA until recently, when it became available for private patients. It is one of the premier programs in Australia. Furthermore, Dr. Yong is recognised as the regional expert for TAVI in Asia-Pacific to teach and start up TAVI programs in the region. In addition to Australia, he has proctored in South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. He has been a frequent invited speaker internationally for conferences addressing valvular and structural heart disease. Many people may question what a TAVI is and whether they need one themselves, or wonder how they would qualify for one. The team at PCI explained to us why someone would need a TAVI, and what happens during one. Essentially, if a patient is at high risk for surgery, but has a problem with their aortic valve which means it needs to be replaced, then a patient may qualify for the TAVI procedure. The aortic valve is the one of the four valves in the human heart, and probably its most important. It is the last valve that blood flows through before leaving your heart via the aorta, which is the major artery delivering blood to the rest of the body. It normally consists of three thin leaflets which open wide when the left ventricle pumps, and then close again,