singapore medical services

Gleneagles Hospital

2008-02-03T21:28:00.002-08:00

Gleneagles Hospital is established as a leading centre for the care and treatment

of cardiac patients. The highly skilled nursing team, together with the experience

and expertise of the physicians and surgeons, continually advance the standards of

Gleneagles’ cardiac care.

Cardiac care is one of the cornerstones of Mount Elizabeth Hospital’s sterling

reputation as a leading private healthcare facility of choice. The first open-heart

surgery in private practice in Singapore was performed in Mount Elizabeth. The

Hospital has always maintained her cutting-edge lead in the disciplines of cardiology

and cardiothoracic surgery.

Coronary Heart Diseases Prevention and Treatment Services

Coronary heart disease is one of the top killers in Asia and in many developed

countries throughout the world. Parkway Group Healthcare, which owns East Shore,

Gleneagles and Mount Elizabeth hospitals in Singapore, and seven hospitals in

the region, is the largest private healthcare organisation in Asia. It is committed to

providing comprehensive and quality care to the prevention and treatment of coronary

heart diseases.

With more than 30 cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, our depth and breadth

of medical, clinical and surgical experience is focused on giving cardiac patients the

latest treatment options, supported by investment in state-of-the-art technology

and equipment.

With the largest concentration of cardiac specialist physicians under one roof, as well

as qualified and compassionate nursing care, Parkway Group Healthcare is the ideal

choice for patients with cardiac conditions.

Chest X-ray

Cardiac Calcium Scoring

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

SCREENING PROCEDURES

CHEST X-RAY

Although considered a basic and routine investigation, a simple chest x-ray provides valuable information

on the general condition of the patient’s heart as well as the thoracic cavity.

The chest x-ray can indicate the size and position of the heart, any gross abnormalities and changes in the

heart size, which can serve as a primary indicator of heart failure or obvious congenital abnormalities.

The lung fields can indicate changes occurring as a result of heart failure such as collections of fluids in

addition to any lung pathology that might be evident.

As a basic screening procedure, the chest x-ray helps a clinician to detect signs indicative of a heart

condition and also serve as a useful guide in pursuing more sophisticated means of investigations to ascertain

the patient’s health status.

Even if no gross abnormalities are detected, the captured ‘image’ serves as a very reliable base line, which

can be archived for future reference.

Chest X-ray

An ECG is quick, safe and

painless. The process takes

about five to ten minutes.

Cardiac calcium scoring

is a test to detect the presence

of calcium deposits in the arteries.

If calcium deposits are present,

it is an indication of a hardening

of the arteries.

SCREENING PROCEDURES

CARDIAC CALCIUM SCORING

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG)

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a recording of the heart’s electrical activity as a graph or a series of wave

lines on a moving strip of paper or video monitor. In this way, one is able to evaluate the heart’s rate, rhythm

and detect the presence of cardiac problems.

The highly sensitive ECG machine helps to detect various heart irregularities, disease and damage.

An ECG is routinely used when heart disease or damage is suspected in a patient who may be experiencing

symptoms such as angina (chest pain), palpitations, shortness of breath, lightheadedness or loss

of consciousness.

How is an ECG performed?

An ECG is quick, safe and painless. It is non-invasive. The patient has to remove his clothes from the

waist up and is then asked to lie down comfortably. The nurse or technician will thoroughly clean a total

of ten areas on the patient’s chest, arms and legs, over which will be attached ten small metal devices

(electrodes). These will be connected by wires to the ECG recorder.

The patient needs to lie still for about one minute while the heart activity is measured and recorded.

Each electrode produces a ‘tracing’ of a particular area of the heart. The entire ECG takes about five to

ten minutes.

Cardiac calcium scoring is a screening procedure

to detect calcium build-up in the coronary arteries.

The test is non-invasive and can be performed in

approximately ten minutes and is completely painless.

Coronary artery calcium is a definite marker for the

presence of artheroscleroris, i.e. the hardening of

the arteries. The results of this screening test allows

the physician to make accurate clinical decisions in

the treatment of coronary artery disease, taking into

consideration the number of calcified vessels, the

patient’s age, gender, symptoms and risk factors.

The calcium scoring chart ranges from zero to over

400. The ‘normal’ score for any age is ideally zero.

The calcium score has greater significance if it

exceeds the 75th percentile of the patient’s age and

sex group, or if calcium is detected in more than two

blood vessels.

Cardiac Calcium Scoring

Stress Test (exercise or pharmalogical)

Nuclear Perfusion Test (exercise or pharmalogical)

Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)

Transoesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)

Holter Monitoring

Ambulatory Blood Pressure

DIAGNOSTIC (NON-INVASIVE) PROCEDURES

STRESS TEST

How is an exercise stress test performed?

An exercise stress test requires a patient use a standard treadmill while the ECG electrodes are attached

to the body.

The test requires two phases: the resting phase and the exercise phase.

During the resting phase, the patient lies still while the ECG is taken.

During the exercise phase, the exercise begins at a slow rate and progressively increases his speed

and incline, while the patient’s ECG is recorded periodically, until the patient’s maximum heart rate is

reach when the patient signals discomfort.

Stress Test (Exercise or Pharmalogical)

A stress test is a diagnostic test that allows the physician to understand a patient’s heart activities both at

rest and with exertion.

The stress test can be administered in two ways:

a. through physical exercise,

b. through the administration of medications, to simulate the ‘stress’, or pharmalogical stress test

All stress tests are performed with ECG electrodes attached to the body to monitor the heart’s activity and

allows the physician to compare the ECG patterns at rest and during stress.

Results of a Nuclear Perfusion Scan

NUCLEAR PERFUSION TEST

Nuclear Perfusion Scan (Exercise or Pharmalogical)

A nuclear perfusion scan is similar to the stress test, which requires two phases – resting and exertion.

The nuclear perfusion scan adds another diagnostic tool for the physician: allowing him to determine the

perfusion (blood flow) to the heart muscle. It is similar to the stress test and requires both resting as well

as stress phases. The images are produced by injecting a small amount of radioactive but harmless substance

(tracer) into a vein at the peak of exercise.

A second injection of the tracer is injected for the resting phase of the test, and further images will be taken

with the gamma camera. This tracer is detected by the gamma camera as it flows through the blood vessel

to the heart muscle. It can show where blood flow has been reduced or restricted.

The physician will compare the results of the heart’s activity at resting phase and at exertion phase.

The nuclear perfusion

test measures how the

heart is performing at rest

and during exertion, with

the help of radioactive

elements seen through

a device called a

gamma camera.

Patient undergoing an ‘echo’

TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAM (TTE)

Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)

Also known simply as an ‘echo’, an echocardiogram is a painless test that uses high-frequency sound waves

(ultrasound) to obtain images of the heart and its various structures.

Echocardiograms are used to evaluate the structure and function of the heart, including:

a. Status of the heart valves

b. Status and strength of the heart muscle

c. Identifying the presence of blood clots or growths within the heart chambers

d. Detecting the causes of abnormal heart sounds (murmurs)

Because the test does not involve any of the radiation that an x-ray does, it is a very safe test. The sound

waves bounce back from the various components of the heart, producing images and sounds that can be

used by the physician to detect any abnormalities.

How is a TTE performed?

The physician prepares the chest area by applying a conductive, water-soluble gel. A small device, the

‘transducer’ is then placed on the patient’s chest, and this is rotated and positioned at various angles

to obtain images of the heart, which can be seen on a video monitor.

The TTE can be used in conjunction with various forms of stress to detect the presence of coronary

artery disease.

a. an exercise, or stress echocardiogram

b. pharmalogical, or drug-enhanced, stress echocardiogram

There may be cases when a patient cannot perform the exercise necessary to an exercise-based

stress test.

In these instances, the physician can still examine the heart by simulating the effects of stress and

exertion by an injection of medication, such as dobutamine. These chemicals stimulate the heart and

mimic the effects of vigorous physical activity.

How is a chemical or pharmalogical stress test performed?

A Holter monitor being attached onto a patient

TRANSOESOPHAGEAL ECHOCARDIOGRAM (TEE)

HOLTER MONITORING

AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING (ABPM)

Transoesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

This is a form of echocardiogram that involves inserting a transducer down the patient’s throat into the

oesophagus (the long tube that connects the throat with the stomach).

Because the oesophagus is located closely behind the heart, clearer images of the heart structures and

valves can be obtained from inside the body instead of the outside.

A Holter monitor is a portable device that continually monitors the electrical activity of an ambulatory (freelymoving)

patient’s heart over a period of time.

The physician will recommend this test most often when it is suspected that the patient experiences abnormal

heart rhythm, i.e., arrhythmia, or that the patient experiences times when the heart is not getting enough

oxygen-rich blood, i.e., cardiac ischemia.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is a method of measuring blood pressure readings of a

patient over a 24-hour period. A special blood pressure monitor is used, and the patient is asked to keep a

diary of his activities during the monitoring period.

Holter Monitoring

How is Holter monitoring performed?

Wires (electrodes) from the Holter monitor are taped to carefully-prepared areas of the patient’s body.

The patient is sent home to go about his daily activities (except bathing and showering) and the patient

is asked to keep a diary of his activities and any symptoms he may experience.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

Coronary Angiogram

CORONARY ANGIOGRAM

Coronary Angiogram

A coronary angiogram is a x-ray procedure to detect the presence of blockages within the coronary arteries.

These blockages are usually the result of the progressive build-up of materials within the walls of the blood

vessels that lead to the development of coronary heart disease.

How is a coronary angiogram performed?

The physician will inject a special dye into the

coronary arteries. A thin tube (catheter) is

inserted through a blood vessel, usually in the

upper thigh. This catheter is then carefully

manipulated through the patient’s main artery

(the aorta) until it is positioned at the opening of

the coronary arteries.

Once the catheter is in place, a special dye is

injected through the catheter and into the arteries.

Then the x-ray is taken. X-ray pictures are taken

while the dye is being injected to obtain images,

showing the coronary arteries and the presence

or absence of any blockages within them.

The patient is usually given a mild sedative before

the procedure but is aware of his surroundings

throughout the procedure.

A coronary angiogram is the most accurate test

in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

Depending on what the angiogram shows, the

physician will recommend treatments such as

medication, interventional (non-surgical)

procedures such as balloon angioplasty, or

bypass surgery.

Biventricular Pacemaker

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)/Balloon Angioplasty/Stenting

Ablation

Transcatheter Closure of ASD

BIVENTRICULAR PACEMAKER

A pacemaker

regulates the pumping

action of the heart,

when it cannot do so

on its own.

Biventricular Pacemaker

In many heart failure patients, the walls of the left ventricle - the heart’s main pumping chamber - are no

longer synchronised, or pumping together as they normally would. A biventricular pacemaker is designed

to resynchronise the pumping action of the heart.

How is a biventricular pacemaker insertion performed?

After a local anaesthesia is applied, a small

incision is made in the chest wall just above the

collarbone. Another cut is made in the vein just

under the collarbone.

One of the two wires is threaded through the

vein and positioned in a vein that drains the left

ventricle.

The second wire is threaded through the vein

and embedded into the right ventricle.

The wires are secured by tiny screws which

ensure that the electrode at the tip of each wire

is in direct contact with the inner surface of the

heart chamber. The other ends of the wires are

connected to a generator, which is inserted into

the tissue under the collarbone. The incision is

then closed.

The procedure may take one to two hours, and

can be performed as an inpatient or outpatient

procedure.

Aorta

Left coronary

artery

Partial

blockage

Right coronary

artery

The path of the tube

BALLOON WITHDRAWN

BALLOON IN POSITION

Coronary

Tube

Balloon

PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY (PTCA)/BALLOON ANGIOPLASTY/STENTING

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)/

Balloon Angioplasty/Stenting

Balloon angioplasty or Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) is a widely-used technique

for opening blocked arteries. The procedure flattens the plaque against the artery wall to open a channel

through which more blood may flow.

Drug-coated stents are coated with very small amounts of various chemicals and medication that help

improve the way the body reacts to the placement of the stent.

Medicated stents, in particular those coated with an immunosuppressant called sirolimus, limit the amount

of scar tissue that can form and improve the stent’s ability to stay open in the long-term.

How is a PTCA or balloon angioplasty performed?

The patient will be fast overnight for the

procedure.

Before the procedure, intravenous (IV) access

is obtained to allow drugs to be administered to

the patient.

A guiding catheter is then inserted, usually

through the groin, and through which the devices

used in the angioplasty procedure are placed.

(see Figure 1)

Once the physician has located the blockage, a

guide wire is advanced down the artery and

across the blockage. The smaller balloon-tipped

catheter is then threaded across the wire until it

is positioned across the blockage, where it is

then inflated for one to three minutes. After

deflation of the balloon, the process can be

repeated at other areas. (see Figure 2)

Another procedure known as coronary stenting

often accompanies balloon angioplasty. The stent

is a small wire-mesh tube delivered to the artery

mounted as a balloon-tipped catheter and

provides a stronger, reinforced framework at the

site of the blockage. Stents help to keep the artery

open and reduces the changes that the blockage

might recur (restenosis).

The balloon is inflated, deflated and removed,

leaving behind the stent to reinforce the

artery wall.

Balloon angioplasty is a relatively quick

procedure, taking one or two hours. The patient

is usually kept under observation and monitored

for one to two nights.

Drug-coated stents

When the heart is not beating

in a smooth regular rhythm,

the irregular heartbeats are called

arrhythmia. This condition can

be dangerous.

ABLATION

TRANSCATHETER CLOSURE OF ASD

Ablation

When the heart is not beating in a regular rhythm, the irregular heartbeats are called arrhythmia. When the

heart is beating very rapidly, this type of arrhythmia is known as tachycardia. Some forms of tachycardia

may be due to an abnormal collection of conduction fibres within the heart. There are types of tachycardia

that may be treated by a procedure called ‘ablation’.

Atrial Septal Defect, or ASD, is a congenital anomaly of the heart. It is a condition commonly known as

‘hole-in-the-heart’. It refers to a hole between two upper chambers of the heart, the atria. If left untreated,

ASD may affect the lungs. Those who suffer from the condition tend to tire easily, have poor effort tolerance

or even heart failure. They may also experience irregular heartbeat.

This is an occlusive device to treat ASD, as a viable alternative to traditional open-heart surgery. Parkway

Group Healthcare is the first in Singapore to perform the transtheter closure of ASD in adults using the

Amplatzer Septal Occluder.

How is ablation performed?

There are two ways that ablation can be done: non-surgical and surgical.

The non-surgical method uses radiofrequency energy to eliminate the abnormal conduction pathways.

At the tip of the tube is a small wire, which delivers radiofrequency energy to burn away the abnormal

areas of the heart, allowing the heart to beat normally again.

In surgery, there are three ways that ablation can be performed:

a. The Maze procedure is where the surgeon makes small cuts in the heart to re-direct healthy

electrical rhythms

b. Cryoablation is where a very cold substance is introduced to freeze the cells that are creating the

problems so that these cells cannot function anymore

c. Endocardial resection is when the surgeon removes a section of the thin layer of the heart where

the abnormal rhythms come from

Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) in Adults

How is it performed?

What is the Amplatzer Septal Occluder?

During the procedure, a folded occluder is delivered through a catheter to ‘plug’ the hole in the heart.

First performed on children in Singapore in 1997, the method has been used to correct ASD successfully

in adults as well the following year.

It can be performed in about two hours with excellent results.

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

SURGICAL PROCEDURES

CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING (CABG)

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) or often simply known as bypass surgery is the surgical method

of treating coronary artery disease. The aim here is not to repair or remove blocked arteries but

to create a detour around the blockage: in other words, to bypass the blockage since the normal route

has been blocked. Depending on how many arteries are blocked, one, two or more bypasses may be created

at surgery.

During surgery, the surgeon takes a segment of healthy blood vessel (vein or artery) from another part of

the body and uses it as the new bypass channel.

With today’s expertise and technology, bypass surgery carries very little risks. Hospitals performing large

numbers of open-heart operations have risks of death of about 1 to 2%. Risks may vary from patient to patient

depending on factors such as old age, long-standing diabetes, previous heart attacks and strokes, kidney

failure etc. Patients who are unsure of their own risks, are advised to discuss this with their doctors.

Whatever the risk, however, they may be worth taking considering the fact that CABG significantly improves

and lengthens the quality of the patient’s life.

Bypass or ‘open heart’ surgery

SURGICAL PROCEDURES

CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFTING (CABG)

How is a bypass surgery performed?

Surgery is performed under a general

anaesthetic; hence the patient will not be aware

of the procedure.

When the patient arrives in the operating theatre,

he will already be sedated so that he will be

relaxed and calm. The anaesthetist will insert

several needle-sized tubes into the vein under

local anaesthesia. Once these are in, the patient

will be anaesthetised.

The patient will then be connected to a ventilator

via a tube inserted through the mouth or nose

into the windpipe.

An incision is made down the middle of the front

of the chest. Through this incision, the heart will

be exposed for connection to the heart lung

machine. While this is going on, another team

will be harvesting the patient’s veins from his

legs or arteries from the arm, to use as bypass

channels.

Once both teams are ready, the patient’s heart

will be stopped and the function of the heart and

lung will be taken over the heart-lung machine.

The harvested blood vessels will then be sewn

in such a way that one end is connected to the

aorta (the large artery arising from the heart)

while the other rend is connected to the coronary

artery below the level of blockage.

On completion of this part of the operation, the

patient’s heart will be made to resume its function.

When the surgeon is satisfied that the heart is

beating normally, the patient will be disconnected

from the heart-lung machine and the surgery

completed. The patient will then be taken to the

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for monitoring.

Patients are normally monitored and managed in the ICU for one to two days. On the second day after

surgery, patient will be transferred back to an ordinary ward for recuperation. In the ward, they will be

taught how to breathe effectively and to gain confidence in their recovery process.

Most patients will be discharged from hospital in about a week and be ready to return to work in approximately

six weeks to three months.

Recovery

GLENEAGLES

HOSPITAL

Nassim Hill

Napier Road

Middlesex Road

British High

Commission

British

Council

Tanglin

Post Office

Embassy of

the United States

of America Australian

High Commission

Botanic

Gardens

MOUNT

ELIZABETH

HOSPITAL

Ngee Ann City

Wisma Atria

Shopping Centre

Lucky Plaza

Marriott Hotel

Nutmeg Road

Mount

Elizabeth

Road

Jln Elok

Tong

Building

The

Paragon

Crown Prince

Hotel

Orchard Road

Taman Serasi

Cluny Road

Mount

Elizabeth

Link

Bideford Road

WHERE WE ARE

Map not drawn to scale.

Medical Referral Centre Hotline: (65) 6735 5000 (Local Toll Free)

e-mail: mrc@parkway.com.sg

Website: www.parkwaygrouphealthcare.com

Parkway Paediatrics

2008-02-03T21:28:00.001-08:00

Paediatrics

Looking After Our Young Patients is Kids' Stuff For Us!

- World Class Wards and Treatment

- Full Range of Care

- Making the Child Feel at Ease

World Class Wards and Treatment

We offer a complete spectrum of top-range services and medical specialties to meet the preventive, diagnostic and treatment needs of any child.

The wards are designed to put our young patients, who range from newborns to children up to 16 years of age, at ease. There is also a playroom, complete with puzzles, books and toys.

Full Range of Care

What also makes the difference in our care is the personalised touch. Our experienced and dedicated staff are ever ready to attend to your children's needs and make their stay comfortable. The nursing staff work closely with the paediatricians, forming a supportive and effective medical team.

The unit is well equipped to handle a broad range of general and paediatric surgeries for conditions such as cancer, tonsillitis, appendicitis, sinus, asthma, allergies, bone deformities, and ear, nose and throat (ENT) problems. With the latest technology and under the expert care of our team of specialists and dedicated staff, our young patients recover in good time and are able to return quickly to the mainstream of life.

Day care treatment, including chemotherapy and observation are also available.

Making the Child Feel at Ease

Parents are encouraged to stay with their children throughout the hospitalisation and meals can be arranged for them.

Every room has couches and chairs for parents to rest in during their child's stay in the hospital.

For appointments, enquiries & information, please contact our International Patient Assistance Centre (IPAC) at (65) 6735 5000.

View our attractive healthcare packages

Living Donor Kidney Transplant

2008-02-03T21:26:00.000-08:00

Living Donor Kidney Transplant

- World Class Treatment

- Experienced Team of Multidisciplinary Professionals

- Evaluation

- Transplantation

A Better Outlook For Life

The promise of a normal, fulfilling life is the reason why patients with end-stage kidney diseases are increasingly opting for living donor kidney transplant.

Transplantation is a gift of life. It saves lives and restores the quality of life. With successful kidney transplantation, patients no longer need dialysis.

Living donor kidney transplant has shown high success rates. Once a suitable living donor is identified, transplantation can take place immediately, eliminating the long wait imposed by transplants using cadaveric donations.

World Class Treatment

Gleneagles and Mount Elizabeth Hospitals have a proven track record of performing donor kidney transplants successfully.

Our experienced, qualified teams of professionals are well-equipped with advanced technologies and equipment. You are assured of the best treatment.

Experienced Team of Multidisciplinary Professionals

Our multidisciplinary transplant teams provide you with invaluable support, guidance and care during and after your transplant.

Our transplant teams include: Transplant surgeons

Nephrologists

Anaesthesiologists

Nurse coordinator

Patient support staff

For appointments, enquiries & information, please contact our International Patient Assistance Centres at (65) 6735 5000.

Parkway Neuro Care

2008-02-03T21:24:00.000-08:00

NEURO CARE

Caring For You With Today's Expertise and Tomorrow's Technology

- Comprehensive Treatment

- Neurological Services

- State-of-the-Art Equipment

- Dedicated Patient Care

- Related Articles

Neurological diseases are on the rise and they pose immense challenges for medical science. Early detection and treatment are required for effective results.

Being at the forefront of neurological sciences, the Parkway group has built an outstanding reputation in the region for its neurological expertise.

Our team is highly skilled in performing all types of neurosurgery. Patients receive fully integrated multidisciplinary care from our experienced team of specialists, therapists and nurses.

Patients are assured of the greatest chance for a successful outcome, as our team approach, backed by the latest medical procedures, treatment programmes and imaging technology, has proven to be highly effective.

Comprehensive Treatment

Our hospitals provide comprehensive and coordinated multidisciplinary care under one roof to patients with neurological problems, ranging from treatment for stroke, fits and brain tumour and injury to treatment for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Our services include advanced diagnostic tests, neurosurgical procedures, specialised post-operative care, stroke prevention and rehabilitation.

Neurological Services

Preventive Care

At our Centres, patients have access to the world's most innovative therapies. Among our comprehensive range of treatments and services are:

Health screening to identify risk factors such as high cholesterol level, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease

Diagnostic Procedures

Computerised Tomographic (CT) scans - Multislice CT scanner

MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

EEG - Electroencephalogram

EMG - Electromyogram

PET Scan - Positron Emission Tomography

Digital Substraction Angiography

Surgery

Brain and spinal surgery

CAN/CAM robotic surgery

Neurovascular surgery

Stereotactic Radiosurgery / Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy

X-knife Stereotactic System (Mount Elizabeth Hospital)

BrainLab Stereotactic System (Gleneagles Hospital)

Rehabilitation

Stroke rehabilitation, including a comprehensive assessment and management by occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech therapists

State-of-the-Art Equipment

In Stereotactic Radiosurgery or Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT), a non-invasive and safe technique that has shown good results, our hospitals use modern Linear Accelerator (LINAC) based systems for treating intra-cranial tumours. Hospital stay and recovery time is reduced as hospitalisation is not needed for these procedures.

In Stereotactic Radiosurgery, a single high dosage of ionising radiation is delivered to the tumour

SRT (Stereotactic Radiotherapy) is used with a number of fractions of radiation for larger tumours, and where the tumour is very close to a critical organ, such as the optic nerve

Congenital Heart Disease

2008-01-21T02:07:00.000-08:00

Congenital Heart Disease

- What is Congenital Heart Disease?

- Common Types of Congenital Heart Disease

- Causes

- Symptoms

- Examples of Common Congenital Heart Disease

- Contact Us

What is Congenital Heart Disease?

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is the term used for structural abnormality of the heart. This is due to faulty development before birth.

About six to eight per thousand babies are born with this abnormality. Half of these are minor and require no treatment. However, about a quarter of the affected babies would require medication or surgery in the first year of life.

Common Types of Congenital Heart Disease Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)

Patent Arterial Duct (PAD)

Pulmonary Stenosis

Aortic Stenosis

Mitra Valve Prolapse

Coarctation of Aorta

Fallot's Tetralogy

Transposition of Great Arteries

Pulmonary Atresia

Other complex congenital heart diseases

Causes

German measles within the first three months of pregnancy whilst the heart and other organs are being formed will pose a considerable risk of the baby having heart disease and other defects.

Those affected by genetic disorders such as Down's syndrome also have a much higher risk of getting CHD.

Pregnant women who are exposed to certain drugs and those who suffer from diabetes also have increased risks fo foetal cardiac disease.

In mose cases however, it is not possible to identify a definite cause. This appears to be a fault in the complex growth of the heart before birth due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Symptoms

Many of the babies and children affected with CHD do not show symptoms at all. One abnormality is the presence of a heart murmur when the doctor listens to the heart with a stethoscope. Those with more severe defects may show one or more of the following symptoms and signs: Breathlessness, especially when they exert themselves during bottle or breast feeding in babies and running in older children

Excessive sweating

Slow weight gain

Bluish complexion

Frequent chest infections

Abnormal heart rhythm

Examples of Common Congenital Heart Disease

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)

A hole in the wall that separates the two upper chambers of the heart. This hole causes some of the blood to flow from the left to the right atrium. This means that the right heart will pump more than the usual amount of blood to the lungs. The amount of blood shunting across will be proportionately larger if the hole is large. Too much blood going to the lungs will make it congested. As a result, the child may grow slowly, tire easily with exercise and have frequent chest infections.

Small ASDs can close spontaneously. Large ASD can now be closed by occulsive device through insertion of a catheter into the vein at the groin.

Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)

An opening in the wall that separates the two lower chambers of the heart. Similar to ASD, too much blood going to the lungs will make the lungs congested. Likewise, the child may grow slowly, tire easily and experience frequent chest infections. Surgical closure is advised for large VSD that is not suitable for device closure.

Patent Arterial Duct (PAD)

This occurs when the blood vessel that connects the aorta and the pulmonary artery fails to close after birth so that the blood that goes to the body (carried by the aorta) mixes with the blood that goes to the lungs (carried by the pulmonary artery).

PAD is common in premature babies. A special medication (indomethacin) can be given to close the duct. Most of the small PADs close spontaneously. PAD beyond the neonatal period can be closed by insertion of a device through a catheter without surgery.

Pulmonary Stenosis (PS)

This refers to obstruction of the right lower chamber of the heart at the root of the pulmonary artery (blood vessel supplying blood to the lungs). Severe obstruction will cause poor effort tolerance and heart failure. This condition can now be treated by balloon dilation via a catheter without operation with excellent results.

Fallot's Tetralogy (FT)

This is essentially a combination of a hole in the wall that separates the two lower chambers of the heart and a tight narrowing in the outlet of the right lower chamber of the heart, resulting in enlargement of this chamber.

Some of the blood going to the lungs will pass through the hole from the right lower chamber to the left lower chamber without being oxygenated by the lungs. Children with Fallot's tetralogy may develop spells of blueness, shortness of breath, fainting or fits. The child usually tires easily and turns blue with exercise.

The defect can be repaired completely and safely by surgery during infancy.

If left untreated, CHD may eventually lead to serious consequences. Parkway's expertise in this area allows prompt treatment and quick recovery for affected patients. Our state-of-the-art facilities also rank amongst the best in the world.

Here at Parkway, our committed and dedicated multidisciplinary team of specialist doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals work together to provide comprehensive care, to give our best to your child.

Talk to us today and we will be happy to help with doctor referral and appointments. All the above treatments can be arranged through our 24-hour International Patient Assistance Centre (IPAC).

The IPAC hotline 6735 5000 is a free service that connects patients in real time to relevant medical services and doctors across Parkway Hospitals.

Parkway fertility centres

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Fertility Care

HAVING YOUR OWN BABY

If you and your spouse yearn to have a baby but are unable to conceive, we can help you realise your hope of becoming parents.

At Parkway Fertility Centres, you and your spouse have access to quality fertility care with a personal touch. Over the years, some 180,000 patients from all over the world have sought medical attention at our Fertility Centres for a wide range of male and female infertility problems.

Parkway Fertility Centres, Gleneagles Hospital IVF Centre and Mount Elizabeth Fertility Centre, have enjoyed high success rates in fertility treatment. At the forefront of reproductive medicine, our Centres have accomplished many world's firsts in fertility treatment.

A full range of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) is available at our Centres.

Here, patients can expect comprehensive fertility care, ranging from diagnosis to treatment, in a beautiful environment of comfort, privacy and exclusivity.

Every couple is assured of a specially tailored fertility programme to suit their needs.

World Class Treatment

Among the region's most successful fertility treatment centres.

One-stop facilities offering a comprehensive range of services for the management of male and female fertility problems.

Offering world class medical expertise, advanced equipment and facilities and well-trained dedicated team, to ensure the best standards in healthcare.

For appointments, enquiries & information, please contact our International Patient Assistance Centres at (65) 6735 5000.

Haematological Illnesses parkway

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HAEMATOLOGY & STEM CELL TRANSPLANT CENTRE

Haematological Illnesses - What Can Be Done

Diseases of the blood may come in different forms. Among the diseases that can be classified here are leukaemia, lymphomas and myelodyplastic disorders.

Leukaemia is a white blood cell malignancy; the malignant cells originate from the marrow. In due course, it will replace the normal bone marrow and spill into the peripheral circulation and into other organs.

The lymphoma is a malignant disorder of the lymphatic cells. It can spread rapidly to other organs.

In myelodyplasia, early blood cells residing in the marrow became abnormal and could not mature. In due course, the patient will either developed acute leukaemia or marrow failure.

At Mount Elizabeth Hospital, we are able to provide comprehensive services to diagnose and treat them in the best way possible.

World Class Treatment

Our specialists will determine if the patient requires either general or specific treatments. The standard treatment regimes may include either chemotherapy alone, radiotherapy, or a combination of both.

At times, the use of biologic therapy like monoclonal antibody, interferons or even a stem cell transplant may be needed to provide high level of success.

With regard to haematopoietic stem cell transplants, the donors can come from several sources, such as from a sibling, an unrelated donor or from the umbilical cord blood from childbirth.

Haematopoietic stem cell transplant is an established treatment for many cases of haematological malignancies and some cases of life threatening non-malignant conditions. We are currently using the state of the art approach to the use of haematopoietic a stem cell in the treatment of these disorders; myeloablative approach for young patients and non-myeloablative approach for older patients or for those who are deemed unfit to undergo heavy doses of chemotherapy.

We are also well versed with the use of high dose chemotherapy and the use of peripheral blood stem cell transplant as a marrow rescue as in the treatment of myeloma, relapsed lymphoma and in certain solid tumours.

At present, we are exploring the use of allogeneic stem cell transplantation as a form of immunotherapy in advanced cases of solid pancreatic tumours, renal cell carcinomas, the colon and small cell lung cancer.

Other State-of-the-Art Techniques

Our specialists have found that certain auto-immune disorders, may also benefit from haematopoietic stem cell transplants. These auto-immune disorders include multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythromatosus, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis.

Related Services

Several important supportive services are available at the centre to facilitate treatment and to ensure the smooth recovery of the patients being treated.

Antibiotics, fluid replacement, blood transfusions, management of venous access etc are some of these supportive care services that are necessary to ensure good patient recovery.

Besides the collection of blood stem cells, the apheresis programme is another of our supportive care programme to ensure availability platelets to our post-chemotherapy or transplant patients.

Healthcare's Cardiac Care parkway

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Expert Care For Your Heart

- Comprehensive Treatment

- State-of-the-art Equipment

- Dedicated Patient Care

- Related Articles

Your heart is important to your life. Opt for an enhanced quality of life with Parkway Group Healthcare's Cardiac Care.

Coronary heart disease is one of the major killers in developed countries. However, with timely and proper treatment, cardiac patients can expect to live a life of quality.

Cardiac patients have placed their confidence in Parkway Group Healthcare as the ideal choice for cardiac treatment. We are fully committed to providing cardiac patients with comprehensive and quality care in the prevention and treatment of heart diseases. Our adult and paediatric cardiac surgeons have an excellent track record in performing all types of cardiac surgery, and are highly respected in Asia.

We are focused on providing the most advanced treatment options with our finest expertise and the state-of-the-art technology. Our medical, clinical and surgical experience is unrivalled in the region. Our skilful and experienced team comprises more than 30 highly qualified cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons.

Mount Elizabeth Hospital has a cutting-edge legacy in cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery. Cardiac care is one of the cornerstones of the Hospital's sterling reputation. Gleneagles Hospital is a leading centre for cardiac treatment. Its standards of cardiac care are continually advanced by the expertise and experience of physicians, surgeons and caring nurses.

With the highest concentration of cardiac specialist physicians under one roof, quality nursing care and cutting-edge technology, Parkway Group Healthcare is the ideal place for the treatment of cardiac problems.

Comprehensive Treatment

For total cardiac care, we offer a complete range of cardiac services: from preventive care, advanced diagnostic tests and surgical procedures to specialised post-operative management and cardiac rehabilitation.

Mount Elizabeth Hospital Singapore

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Mount Elizabeth Hospital provides a wide range of medical and surgical services. Mount Elizabeth

Hospital has an established reputation in Asia in private healthcare. It is well known for

the depth of expertise of its specialists, quality care of its nurses and staff, and state-ofthe-

art technology.

Mount Elizabeth Hospital performs the largest number of cardiac surgeries & neurosurgeries

in the private sector in the region.

The hospital is accredited with the Joint Commission International (JCI); and is the first

private hospital in Asia to win the Asian Management Award for exceptional people

development and management.

SERVICES AND FACILITIES:

· 24-hour Accident and Emergency Department

· Anaesthesiology

· Apheresis Unit

· Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery

· Counselling Services

· Critical Care, Neonatal Intensive Care, High

Dependency Units

· Day Surgery

· Diagnostic Services

- ECG

* Ambulatory Blood Pressure

* Ambulatory Electrocardiogram (Holter

Monitoring)

* Rest

* Stress – Exercise

- EEG (Electroencephalogram)

- Lung Function Tests

* Spirometry

* Exercise Spirometry

* Histamine Challenge / Provocation Test

· Diabetes Care Centre

· Dietary Services

· Endoscopy Centre

· Geriatrics

· Haematology and Stem Cell Transplant

Centre

· Health Screening

· Hepatobiliary Surgery

· Histopathology

· Homecare Services

· Laser Treatment Room

· Lasik Centre

· Maternity Care (Obstetrics)

· Medical, Surgical, Paediatric Wards

· Gynaecology Wards

· Minimal Access Surgery

· Mount Elizabeth – Charter Behavioural Health

Service

· Mount Elizabeth Fertility Centre

· Mount Elizabeth Cancer Centre

· Neonatalogy

· Preventive Healthcare Centre

· Pathology

· Pharmacy Services

· Plastic Surgery

· Prosthetic Dentistry

· Psychiatry

· Psychological Tests

- IQ, ADHD, etc.

- Neuro-Psychological

· Radiology and Imaging Services

- Bone Mineral Densitometry

- Cardiovascular Services

* Angiography

* Stenting

* Electro Physiological Study

- Computed Tomography Scan (CT Scan)

- Contrast Examinations

- Diagnostic Plain Film Radiography

- Echocardiography

- Fluoroscopic Examinations

- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

- Mammography (Breast Imaging)

- Positron Emission Tomography

* Nuclear Medicine

- Interventional Services

* RF Ablation

* Vertebroplasty

* Embolisation

* Stenting

- Ultrasound Scan

- Lithotripsy

· Rehabilitation Medicine

· Rehabilitation Therapy Services

· Renal Dialysis Centre

· Renal Medicine

· Respiratory Medicine

· Rheumatology

· Robotic Surgery

· Surgery

· Therapeutic Radiology

· Thoracic and Cardiovascular

· Neurology and Neurosurgery

· Neuroscience

· Tropical Medicine

· Weight Management Centre

SPECIALTIES: Anaesthesiology

Cardiology

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dental Surgery

Dentistry

Dermatology

Diagnostic Radiology

Endocrinology

Gastroenterology

General Surgery

Gynaecology

Haematology

Hand Surgery

Infectious Diseases

Internal Medicine

Medical Oncology

Neurology

Neurosurgery

Nuclear Medicine

Obstetrics

Opthalmology

Orthopaedic Surgery

Otorhinolaryngology (Ear Nose Throat

Surgery)

Paediatric Medicine

Paediatric Surgery

Pathology

Plastic Surgery

Psychiatry

Rehabilitation Medicine

Renal Medicine

Reproductive Medicine

Respiratory Medicine

Rheumatology

Therapeutic Radiology

Urology

DOCTORS: Doctors at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre – 375

Doctors with admitting privileges at the hospital – 1,171

The Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre is Asia’s largest private medical centre with the highest

concentration of private specialists including cardiologists and cardiac surgeons; neurologists

and neurosurgeons and general surgeons.

LOCATION: 3 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228510

In the vicinity of Orchard Road, Singapore’s prime shopping district.

Tel: (65) 6737 2666 Fax: (65) 6737 1189

PARENT COMPANY: Parkway Hospitals Singapore owns East Shore, Gleneagles and Mount Elizabeth Hospitals. Its

parent company, Parkway Holdings is one of Asia’s most prominent healthcare organisations

with an extensive network of hospitals and integrated healthcare facilities in the region.

WEBSITE: Mount Elizabeth Hospital http://www.mountelizabeth.com.sg

ParkwayHealth http://www.parkwayhealth.com

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Corporate Communication

Tel: (65) 6854 6666

Fax: (65) 6854 6675

Email: corpcomm@parkway.sg

Parkway Group Healthcare Pte Ltd

83 Clemenceau Avenue

#10-05/06/07 UE Square

Singapore 239920