GEORGE NEWS - Glentana resident and world famous cardiac surgeon Prof. Robert Frater's talk on the replacement of heart valves elicited countless questions from the audience at the meeting of the Garden Route Cardiac Support Group last Thursday evening.

There were a number of guests who have had heart valve replacement operations, among them a woman who had a mechanical valve fitted in 1956 at the age of 14. To this day, Mrs Betty Dickson enjoys an active lifestyle. Her operation was done at Groote Schuur Hospital by Dr Walter Philips when these kinds of operations were still in the experimental stage.

Frater stressed the importance of patients who have had valve replacements taking the correct blood thinning medication. A device has been developed in Germany for use by patients at home to enable them to determine on a regular basis the dosage of blood thinning medication they need.

In Germany it is used with great success by heart patients.

Frater highlighted the differences between the types of valves, explaining that pig's and bovine valves would normally not be used in young patients as the valves do not last long enough - 13 years at the most. Repeated surgery is then required. On the other hand, a mechanical valve usually outlasts the patient.

Frater worked with Chris Barnard in the sixties before he was invited by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York to start a new cardiac surgical unit. This unit became well known for everything to do with heart valves. They did research and developed techniques for the repair and design as well as manufacturing and testing of artificial valves.

Frater encouraged the Cardiac Support Group in their efforts to provide support to heart patients in the Garden Route, stating that an informed patient is the best patient. "Cardiac surgery is a mature craft and science and it works best when the doctor and patient are working together."

The interest that the recently established group enjoys, demonstrates a great need among heart patients for its service. Speakers of a high calibre are invited to the monthly meetings and members receive invaluable information enabling them to manage their health better. They can also share their experiences as heart patients and interact with one another as well as with doctors, caregivers and other role players who attend.

Concluding the meeting, Chairman Blyth Thompson said they are looking to establish a training programme for caregivers who can be trained to understand the specific needs of cardiac patients.

The group is also working to launch similar support groups in other towns in the Garden Route. Interested individuals may contact the secretary, Wendy Thompson on 044 873 5254 or 083 375 3353.


Betty Dickson, who had a heart valve replacement in 1956 at the age of 14, with the guest speaker, Prof. Robert Frater (left) and Cardiac Support Group Chairman Blyth Thompson.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST