MINUTES OF THE NATAL BYPASS CLUB HELD IN THE ENTABENI HOSPITAL CONFERENCE ROOM, DURBAN ON WEDNESDAY 5 JULY 2006
- PRESENT:
75 People as per attendance register. A special welcome to the members who have come from as far a field as Port Shepstone, Pietermaritzburg and Hilton. And to Herman Davidson whose wife is very ill, thank you for your presence and the club joins me in upholding you in our prayers and thoughts.
2. APOLOGIES:
Piet Schabort, Muriel Adams, Pat & John Rider, Carol and Stuart Mackay, Harold and Yvonne Milan, Mary Leslie, (Matatiele) , Shirley & Athol Willet, Roy Buckland, Joan Perkins, Ron Masters, Ken Monckton, Doug Tomes, Geoff Stuart and Nathan Klein.
- DECEASED:
So sorry to hear of the passing of Willie van Rooyen and also Basil Fuidge who died suddenly a few weeks ago. Our sympathies with the spouse. (The Fuidges have been attending our meetings regularly for at least 15 years)
4. TESTIMONIES FROM FIRST-TIMERS:
YUSOF MOOSA (72): Although fit from jogging he suffered chest pains and difficulty in breathing (smoker!) An angiogram showed 3 blocked arteries. Fit and well after his triple bypass and happy with his family comprising wife, 4 daughters, a son and 15 grandchildren. No more smoking and gym 4 times per week. Yusof has given the Club a very generous donation. Thank you! And thank you also Sam Wallace for your contribution.
ROB WALKER (57):
Suffered a heart attack at 36 resulting from stress and smoking! Seemed well again for a few years but developed severe chest pains on the golf course which ultimately led to bypass surgery. Fine now and no longer smokes! (Previously 50 – 60 per day!)
ALBERT HANEKOM (61):
Suffered pains at back of arms. Also very fit playing tennis 3 times and gym 4 times per week. Nevertheless he suffered coronary artery disease and had to have bypass surgery. Fine now.
ERROL NUTTALL (62):
As per many of our previous First Timers, he suffered no physical symptoms but a routine medical check up showed partially blocked coronary arteries and he had to have a triple bypass. Discharged after 5 days and is fine.
- RAFFLE:
Once again very generously supported raising R272.00 Thank you.
- ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS:
Jack said that without sponsorship from generous donors the R25 annual subscriptions would not cover the cost of running the Club. He asked whether an extra R5 per member per annum would be acceptable. This request was unanimously supported. Thank you.
Incidentally it will also be easier to pay subs in cash. Indeed, many members have sent R30 in the post without any apparent losses.
- ANNUAL COUNTRY CLUB LUNCHEON:
By popular request Jack has arranged a buffet lunch for Sunday 17 September. This will foster good food and fellowship at a nominal cost and affords us the opportunity to show our appreciation to the medical, nursing and catering staff for their unfailing support. As before, reservations will only be made for advance payments of R55 each. Please make cheques payable to
The Natal Bypass Club, and post to:
J. Piek, 14 Furn Ridge,
1 Burne Crescent,
GLENASHLEY 4051,
Thank you.
- GUEST SPEAKER:
Mr. Del Winter is the partner to Mr. Rob Kleinloog and spoke to us 4 months ago. Unfortunately the power point electronic system could not be used and Del tried to cope by holding his laptop aloft. As this makeshift arrangement only whet our appetites, we prevailed on him to address us again when the electronics were in place. Del accepted our invitation with alacrity and with excellent visual support, this what he said:
Dr Robert H. Gretz performed the first clearly documented coronary artery bypass (CABG) operation on a human at the an Etten Hospital in New York on May2, 1962.
The statistics for the USA are as follows: In 2003, there were 1,244000 angioplasties and 467000 bypass (CCABG) operations. This comprised 346000 men, and 121000 women.
The training required to qualify as a thoracic heart surgeon involves the following steps:
MBChB
Internship
Specialist Training which requires a Primary Examination followed by an Intermediate exam and finally a Fellowship (MMed or College.) Del then explained the difference between a cardiologist and a cardiothoracic surgeon. Alas the vital functions of the perfusionist (heart/lung machine) and the Anesthetist
TERMINOLOGY: He detailed the different abbreviations and detailed explanations of
CABG (Coronary artery bypass grafting)
OPCAB (Off pump bypass i.e. not connected to the heart/lung machine)
BYCAB (Operation on a beating heart)
IABP (Balloon pump)
LIMA (left interior mammary artery.)
ANATOMY: Visuals were shown depicting the main artery stem, left anterior descending artery, the circumflex artery and the right coronary artery.
The heart weighs between 7 and 15 ounces (200 – 425 grams) and is a little larger than the size of your fist. By the end of a long life, a person’s heart will have beat 3, 5 billion times. This is calculated from an average of 100,000 beats per day when about 2000 gallons (7571 litres) of blood are circulated.
SURGERY:
This consists of
Presentation, Indication and Pre-op Visit
And finally SURGERY after which the patient is admitted to the I.C.U. before transfer to a ward before being discharged from hospital. Finally a follow up visit to cardiologist and surgeon.
INDICATION:
The most common diseases are a three vessel disease, a left main disease and a triple vessel disease in diabetics.
CARE AFTER CABG:
There are 4 main changes in the average lifestyle of post operative patients.
Psychological management to reduce stress.
Giving up smoking, Increase in exercise and a Low Fat Diet.
After 1 year, there should be no limitations to a social life, sex, hobbies or work.
PHARMOCOLGICAL INTERVENTION:
There has been exciting development of drugs to combat heart disease the major ones of which are
Antiplatelet drugs, Beta Blockers and Aspirin (administered within 24 hours after the operation)
These have drastically reduced the mortality rate.
Del said that of all the drugs, aspirin was the most effective (“we should ask the authorities to include in our drinking water!)
Other important drug developments include Lipid Lowering Agents (Lipitor and other statins)
Drugs to Control Blood Pressure and Diabetes. Drugs to reduce LDL cholesterol.
NEW INNOVATIONS:
They comprise:
Off Pump Surgery
Arrhythmia Surgery
New materials for the CABG operation and finally, Minimally Invasive surgery such as the MIDCAB operation which Mr. Robbie Kleinloog covered in a previous address to us.
After his very informative and will illustrated presentation, Del agreed to field questions following which he was warmly thanked for what was considered one of the most outstanding addresses we were privileged to have.
Thank you
Jack Piek
(Chairman, Secretary & Treasurer!!)
Tel: 031-5633200
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