Cardiology Service
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Australia. Melbourne Private Hospital is the only private cardiac hospital in Parkville, inner Melbourne, where the state’s most sought after cardiac providers fight this statistic by dedicating themselves to the best possible care.
We perform the most comprehensive cardiac procedures of any private hospital in Melbourne thanks to more than 40 cardiologists treating their patients here. Yet it’s not just the number and complexity of surgeries that make us the heart of cardiac health care - our nurses are some of Melbourne's most experienced and best carers.
We provide cardiology care incorporating diagnostic and therapeutic services in our electrophysiology and catheter labs. All our cardiac services are supported by our coronary care unit and 10 bed intensive care unit.
We also provide additional services to our patients including:
- Access to dietitian services
- Extensive information from the National Heart Foundation
- Specialised physiotherapy services
It's safe to say that you, the patient, are at the heart of everything we do.
Conveniently co-located
Expect better when you’re with us. Located in Parkville, inner Melbourne, we share a precinct with the renowned Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Next steps
If your GP has recommended more specialised cardiac care, ask for a referral to one of the state’s leading specialists. Tell them that you prefer to be treated at Melbourne Private Hospital, the centre of cardiac care.
Find a cardiologist
We have a dedicated team of cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, nurses, educators and allied health professionals, with a wealth of experience, providing outstanding patient care.
Our world class cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons treat a range of heart conditions and related symptoms.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below:
- Chest pain/angina
- Palpitations- racing or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
- Signs of heart failure – swollen ankles, unable to lie flat or waking short of breath
You should contact your GP or present to your nearest emergency department for assessment. If you require urgent attention dial 000 (triple zero) and ask for an Ambulance.
Procedures we offer:
Coronary angiography is the process of taking images of the coronary “heart” arteries by passing a thin tube called a catheter through an arm and leg artery to the top of the heart. A small amount of contrast is injected and an x-ray camera outside the body takes images.
Coronary angioplasty and stenting are procedures to reopen blocked or significantly narrowed coronary arteries. This may involve inflating a balloon or placing a stent (an expandable metal scaffold) into the artery to restore blood flow.
Angiography and stenting are commonly performed under local anaesthetic and sedation without the need for general anaesthetic.
A pacemaker is a small device usually implanted under the skin of the upper chest and attached to a wire that paces your heart when your heart is unable to do so adequately. This procedure is commonly performed under local anaesthetic without the need for general anaesthetic.
Coronary artery bypass surgery, is a procedure that uses another artery or vein to restore blood flow to your heart muscle by bypassing the area of blockage or narrowing.
For severely stiff or leaking valves these may be repaired or replaced. This can be achieved with standard surgery, minimally invasive surgery or catheter-based procedures. To replace a heart valve, your doctor may replace the heart valve with a mechanical valve or a biological tissue valve.
Transcatheteraortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a minimally invasive heart procedure performed via femoral artery access and avoids the need for a large surgical incision. Your Cardiologist and surgeon will advise if this procedure is suitable for you.
Transcatheter mitral valve surgery can be performed minimally invasively by either repairing a leaking valve with a clip or a new valve or by ballooning a narrowed mitral valve.
Structural heart procedures performed at Melbourne Private Hospital include:
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure
- Atrial septal defect (ASD)
- Ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure
- Left atrial appendage occlusion or closure
CTCA uses computed tomography (CT) scanning to take detailed images of the heart. It is a quick (scanning takes 15 seconds) and easy test, without the need for invasive procedures, to determine if there is any significant narrowing in the heart arteries.
Electrophysiology (EP) studies are a series of tests that examine your heart's electrical activity. They involve mapping the electrical paths in the heart to determine if electrical abnormalities exist. This may be carried out to determine the best management for an arrhythmia.
Cardiac ablation is a procedure that uses heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in your heart tissue to block abnormal electrical signals that cause rhythm disturbances. This procedure is used to correct heart rhythm problems such as atrial fibrillation.
Cardioversion is used to treat irregular heart rhythms - commonly atrial fibrillation. The procedure involves sedation and the delivery of an electrical impulse to the chest to restore the heart rhythm to normal.
A transesophageal echocardiogram takes images from behind the heart. This is achieved by passing the probe down the back of the throat (very similar to an endoscopy or gastroscopy procedure). The images obtained are of better quality than a normal echocardiogram due to the proximity to the heart.
An implantable loop recorder is a convenient and easy way to obtain long term ECG recording by implanting a tiny paperclip sized device under the skin. This device can record ECGs for 3 plus years and is generally suited for patients with unexplained fainting and strokes/ministrokes of unknown cause. Your doctor can remotely monitor your heart rhythm via a mobile link that you keep in your home.
Our Cardiology Resources
