BLOEMFONTEIN: Cardiologists at Bloemfontein’s Life Rosepark Hospital continue setting medical technology trends, this time around successfully performing life-changing clot-removal surgeries.
The hospital’s cardiologists and cardiac catheterisation laboratory (Cathlab) team have performed advanced clot-removal procedures using the Penumbra Thrombectomy System, to treat acute cardiac and pulmonary patients. New ground was broken on 29 July and 1 August.
In the first instance, Dr Marius Oosthuysen and the Cathlab team successfully completed the first acute coronary embolus thrombectomy using the Penumbra device – removing a life-threatening clot from a coronary artery to restore critical blood flow.
A similar surgery was performed in August by Dr Thabiso Litelu, who led the hospital’s first acute pulmonary embolism (PE) thrombectomy with the same device, to remove dangerous clots from lung arteries.
The Penumbra Thrombectomy System mechanically removes blood clots using continuous vacuum suction via a catheter, offering a safer, minimally invasive alternative to clot-dissolving medications and reducing bleeding risks.
These latest procedures follow two other pioneering cardiac interventions performed at the same hospital in July. This involved an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and a Medtronic cardiac resynchronisation therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) being fitted here for the first time on 8 and 14 July.
Hein Rossouw, hospital manager, maintains these achievements highlight the hospital’s commitment to bringing the latest and most effective cardiac technologies to patients in central South Africa.
“This is exceptional for our cardiologists and the Cathlab team. Their expertise and dedication in adopting these cutting-edge technologies for the first time in the Free State means our patients can receive the best possible care, closer to home,” said Rossouw.
