MINUTES OF THE NATAL BYPASS CLUB HELD IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM OF THE ENTABENI HOSPITAL, DURBAN ON WEDNESDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2005.
1. WELCOME
90 As per attendance register. An excellent attendance for the last meeting of the year. Noted that Jack arrived five minutes late due to traffic congestion (more than 1 hour from Glenashley to Entabeni).
2. APOLOGIES
Neil Davis, The Holloway’s’, Faye Miller, Les & June Bolt, Des Sutherland, Peter Deightons, Dave & Carol Parry.
3. GUEST SPEAKERS
Due to their busy schedules, Drs David Gillmer and Stewart Kidgell requested that we should allow their presentations before proceeding with our usual domestic programme.
In introducing Stewart, David, who is the cardiologist to many of us, gave a brief address of the progress that has been made in the treatment of cardiac artery disease (CAD). He confirmed that angioplasties and stents are more frequently used and longer lasting. He urged us to have our blood pressures and cholesterol regularly monitored as these were often referred to as the silent killers. He spoke of the benefits of exercise and weight control. The exercise stress test on a treadmill reflected abnormal e.c.g.’s when arteries were severely blocked. However as this did not always provide an accurate e.c.g. and when symptoms persisted, an angiogram was the most accurate diagnostic procedure and although invasive, very reliable.
However, CT scanning (Computerized Tomography) was making rapid strides and he introduced us to Dr Stewart Kidgell, a radiologist and an experienced, and a pioneer, in this relatively modern diagnostic technology.
STEWART KIDGELL C.T. Scanning has come a long way since its early days in 1972 when the first prototype was commissioned. Essentially, it comprised an x-ray tube and a device to read and store information. Initially it took 45 minutes to read ten scans.
It was developed by the EMI record company.
In 1979 Dr Cormack, an ex Capetonian and his partner were awarded the Nobel Prize for their pioneering work in this rapidly progressing technique and today it is possible to capture 64 images in 640 seconds and indeed is so fast that it is more rapid than the flow of blood.
Stewart supported his outstanding address with a Power Point computerized presentation, which is difficult to describe in writing.
He used the slicing of bread into very thin slices to find a foreign object lodged within. The CT scans slices a fraction of a millimetre in thickness and is able to detect abnormalities in every human organ or material even the thickness of dye on material!
The procedure is usually preceded by injecting a dye into the area under investigation. The scanner usually rotates in order to view the area through 360°.
Many slides were then displayed showing, in the smallest detail, organs such as the bones in the ear and an implant to improve hearing which measured 3 mm.
Slides of kidneys, brain aneurism and a bypass, which had failed and had to be ‘redone”. Also calcification nodules in coronary arteries.
Then followed a rotating scan of the heart to show the veins, arteries, chambers, valves, muscles etc – very impressive.
We were shown scans of bypass grafts and how internal mammary arteries were used as conduits for bypassing blockages.
Also the consequences of C A D and heart attack with the resultant scarring.
Following this outstanding and dramatic presentation, David and Stewart agreed to field questions.
Q to S. Does CT replace cardiac angiograms as diagnostic procedures?
A. Not quite yet, but we’re getting there. However, we are successfully using it instead of angiograms to the brain and legs.
Q to S Is it cheaper than angiograms?
A. Yes, by about 25-30% because it is non-invasive and does not require an overnight stay in hospital.
Q to S Can you detect faulty heart valves?
A Not as accurately as a cardiologist can using a Doppler Echo diagnosis. David then verbally made the sounds he associated with leaking valves, heart murmurs, etc.
Q to D Many of us had bypasses when only veins were used and had to have the grafts redone this time using internal mammary arteries. Are these longer lasting?
A. Undoubtedly yes. Arteries are stronger as they have to withstand the pressure of the pumping heart. Veins are the return conduits and need not be as resilient or robust. Their walls are thinner.
Q to D Should we have a cardiologist check up every year after bypass surgery?
A (After a long pause) I don’t think so. If your blood pressure and your cholesterol are normal and you can exercise without undue breathlessness, I would say you’re ok.
A final word from David was that sometimes a little knowledge can be dangerous. For example, he knows of someone very wealthy who decided to have a cat-scan and overreacted when he saw the calcified modules on a coronary artery. They were quite harmless but the man took a lot of convincing.
Q to S Can CT diagnose whether a tumour is benign or malignant.
A Well I believe it can but oncologists prefer to play safe by insisting on further investigations such as biopsies.
Understandably, the remainder of the meeting which had been put on hold took an abbreviated form.
4. RAFFLE
Won by Roy Saunders.
5. ANNUAL SUBS
Many thanks to the majority of members who renewed their annual subs (R25) this evening. A reminder to the remaining members to please send theirs to:
Natal Bypass Club
c/o Mr L Bolt
P O Box 1805
New Germany 3620
Please do not send your remittances to me as I do not have the banking facilities. Thank you.
6. ANNUAL DINNER
55 Members and guests attended the annual lunch at the Durban Country Club where special arrangements were made for us. All agreed that R55 was good value and have requested a repeat next year.
7. NEXT MEETING
As the first Wednesday in January 2006 is too close to New year, our next meeting will be held on the 11 January, same, time, same place, and while about it, please diarise the dates for 2006.
March 1
May 3
July 5
September 6
Annual Lunch September 17
November 1
8. CLOSURE
The very well attended and final meeting of the year concluded with the beautiful rendering of a song made famous during WWII by Vera Lynn and co., and sung so beautifully by the charming daughter of our two staunch supporters Ray & Gill Robinson, Sandy Doherty-Bigara. Songs with audience participation included “Yours”, We’ll Meet Again” and finally “Auf Wiederzein”
I understand that this was to express the member’s appreciation to Jack and his committee for another successful year. I am deeply touched. Thank you for your loyal support and with Richest Blessings to you and yours over the Festive Season.
Above all, here’s wishing you a Healthy Heart!
Thank you
Jack Piek
Tel 031 563 3200
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