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In a combined effort, the departments of cardiology, pediatric cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery did the first Medtronic CoreValve implant in South Africa on a patient at Universitas Academic Hospital.

With the support of hospital management and Medtronic, Professor Hennie Theron, Prof Stephen Brown and Dr JP Theron of the faculty of health sciences, with the assistance of Dr Jean-Claude Laborde, performed the operation early on Wednesday. The advantage of this new valve is that it can be implanted percutaneously (through the skin) through a catheter from the groin. This eliminates the need for invasive surgery.

The valve is made from tissue derived from pigs and is mounted on an expandable stent, which is threaded along an artery, until it reaches its desired position. Theron says the valve is especially useful in older patients who suffer from aortic valve disease and pose a high surgical risk. The use of this valve greatly reduces hospitalisation time, compared to traditional surgery.

"One patient has already received an implant today (yesterday) and we hope to finish two more today (yesterday)," Brown said, emphasising the swiftness and efficiency of the new valve implanting process.

"It is a complex procedure, but this service can in future be offered to all patients in the public and private sectors in Free State. It is heart-warming that the academic complex can take the lead in this modern, high-tech therapy."

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Fri May 24 19:20:43 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 8, 2011

jen

Great news for SA. We can all be proud.
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Jul 8, 2011

theone&only

Well done doctors! It proves we have good, brilliant, intelligent doctors to be proud of. It's good reading positive things about you.
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Jul 8, 2011

Kuch

Welldone to SA doctors....
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Jul 8, 2011

MaLindo

That's Great lovely well done Guys you putting us on the map
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Jul 8, 2011

chungu

good job bo doctor
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Jul 8, 2011

Fozha1

"The valve is made from tissue derived from pigs " Pigs are useful neh, Well done Docs!
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Jul 8, 2011

somaartakeit

As usual the ONLY ever good news come from ordinary folks who are screwed day in and day out by the corrupt regime. well done to the doctors you are one of the very few burning lights which still gives us hope.
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Jul 8, 2011

emzet101

Morning all.
well done guys, you making SA proud. Atleast something positive to read about our country.


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Jul 8, 2011

Sinudeity

When it comes to transplants, South Africa has made several breakthroughs, all starting with Dr barnard and the worlds first heart transplant.

Well done.
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Jul 8, 2011

Admire

Another reason for me to be proud of being a Kovsie.
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