Milpark hospital makes cardiac history

A team of cardiac specialists practising at Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg have reached a milestone by conducting 100 cryoablation procedures, the hospital said on Wednesday.

The procedure is done to treat an irregular heartbeat which, if left untreated, could result in severe disability or death.

"To the best of my knowledge the team's achievement is unequalled in private cardiac medicine in South Africa," said the hospital's general manager Anton Gillis.

The procedure involves inserting a flexible tube, used to navigate a special catheter, from the groin to the heart. The tube is used to freeze the tissue causing the irregular heartbeat.

Gillis said only a few cardiologists in the country specialised in this field.

"Dr Israel Obel and his team, who performed the very first cryoablation procedure in South Africa in April 2010, are recognised as authorities in this field and are among South Africa's leading experts in the treatment of atrial fibrillation," Gillis said.