Victorian Heart Centre at Epworth Richmond

Telephone: +613 9426 6690

The Victorian Heart Centre is committed to the care of patients with cardiac disease and provides the highest standards in investigation and management to ensure a speedy and effective recovery for patients - it is the umbrella organisation for cardiac services at Epworth Richmond.

The Centre aims to provide a focus on the increasing profile of cardiology and cardiac surgical services, and to develop, practice and teach advanced techniques in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease.

Achievements

• First and only private emergency department in Victoria accredited to accept time critical medical patients
• First private hospital in Victoria to perform cardiac surgery, with over 20,000 cases performed since opening in 1982
• First private hospital in Victoria to carry out cardiac catheterisation with over 5,000 angioplasties performed since 1982
• First cardiovascular suite which has interventional cardiologists on call 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Publication of "Proceedings of the Victorian Heart Centre"
  The book has been widely distributed to doctors throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific Region. Its contents are based on presentations made to the weekly meetings of the Victorian Heart Centre at Epworth, with papers relating to the development and understanding of cardiovascular disease
• First Hospital in Victoria to provide flat panel digital technology catheter laboratory

Cardiac Units

The Unit has 58 cardiac monitored beds, with the capacity for invasive and non-invasive pressure monitoring. The unit is supported by nursing staff with critical care qualifications, who provide personalised care to every patient.

Non Invasive Cardiac unit

The diagnostic services provided include:

• Tilt Table Testing
• Stress Exercise Tests
• Ambulatory Monitoring
• Echocardiograms: Transthoracic/Transoesophageal
• Stress Echocardiograms: Exercise/Pharmacological

Cardiac Surgery

There are two modern operating theatres totally dedicated to cardiac surgery, providing a full range of elective and emergency open heart surgical procedures.

These theatres have sophisticated monitoring and support equipment. Cardiac surgery is fully supported by a 15-bed Intensive Care Unit, capable of providing the highest levels of critical care for cardiac patients.

The hospital also runs a 24-hour Emergency Department that is accredited to accept all types of cardiac emergency patients.

Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories

The Unit has two Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories, with state-of-the-art equipment, and provides a 24-hour service for emergency procedures. The equipment includes Digital Subtraction Imaging and Laser Disc storage facilities.

The range of services provided include: 

• Coronary Angiography
• Percutaneous Conary Interventions
• Angioplasty
• Stenting
• Atherectomy
• Rotablator
• Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale & Arrial Septal Defects
• Valvuloplasty

A separate, dedicated Electrophysiology Laboratory is also available and provides the following services:

Electrophysiology

• Radiofrequency Ablation
• Cardioverter Defibrillator Implantation
• Temporary and Permanent Pacemakers

The Unit also offers accredited specialty training for Cardiology Fellows.

Contact us:

Telephone: +613 9426 6690