Brampton hospital performs its first ever surgery to treat life-threatening heart rhythms
Published March 6, 2023 at 1:39 pm
William Osler Health System recently celebrated a new milestone that will help treat patients suffering from life-threatening heart rhythms, also known as arrythmia.
On January 23rd, Brampton Civic Hospital performed its first-ever implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) surgery.
The surgery was performed by Osler Electrophysiologist Dr. Amelia Ciofani, who says it will help patients in the community receive the treatment they need at a nearby facility, rather than have to make the trip to a different city.
“One of the main goals of our program is to provide patients in our community with care close to where they live so that it’s convenient for them, but also so that we can maintain continuity of care,” said Dr. Ciofani.
41-year-old Ryan Siddle was the patient for Brampton Civic Hospital’s first ICD surgery, and said he was happy to have been a part of this milestone moment for the hospital.
The former Brampton resident, now living in Orangeville, said his diagnosis came unexpectedly last year after he passed out multiple times while playing baseball.
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“It took three times for me to realize that I needed to go and see someone,” said Siddle.
Heart arrhythmia can result in the heart beating too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia), making the heart feel like it’s racing or fluttering.
While harmless in some situations, it can occasionally cause discomfort or come with life-threatening signs and symptoms.
Osler says the communities it serves have a high burden of cardiovascular disease, and will therefore benefit from new cardiac-related treatments.
Dr. Ciofani says the current plan is to perform 100 ICD procedures a year to start, but believes there is “plenty of room to grow” based on the community’s needs.
“The implantation and follow-up team also includes our phenomenal nurses, who received special training through St. Michael’s Hospital, and without whom the program would not have been possible,” said Dr. Ciofani. “Without the nursing support we have, we wouldn’t be able to do these implants and provide a follow-up clinic.”
Photo courtesy of William Osler Health System
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