SASKATCHEWAN EXPANDS CARDIAC SERVICES

A specialized cardiac treatment will now be offered in Saskatchewan. Patients who once travelled out of province for one form of specialized cardiac treatment can now receive it in this province.

Health Minister John Nilson announced today that Regina Qu'Appelle Regional Health Authority has expanded cardiac services to include an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) program.

"This initiative supports our Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care, 2001 goal of improving access to health services for Saskatchewan people through provincial planning and co-ordination of services," Nilson said. "Now, patients will be able to receive this treatment without going out of province, and they may spend less time in our hospitals waiting to access out-of-province services. This means more efficient use of our hospital and surgical resources."

Nilson adds that Saskatchewan now has a sufficient volume of patients to support a quality provincial ICD program. It will provide patients with a better level of cardiac care, and may help create a more attractive location for cardiac specialists.

"Establishment of this service in Regina will benefit patients and their families across the province, as well as physicians, and our entire health system," Regina General Hospital's Cardiac Services Program Medical Director Dr. Edward Busse said. "We expect to perform ICD procedures for about 36 patients a year."

ICDs are devices somewhat similar to pacemakers. A pacemaker is usually used to correct a heartbeat that is too slow, and an ICD is used when a heart rhythm is too fast. The ICD is implanted in a patient's chest, and used to diagnose, treat and cure cardiac arrhythmias – it will give a patient a shock to "reset" the heartbeat. Cardiac arrhythmias are a common cause of death and disability in Canada. ICDs help correct these life-threatening heartbeat abnormalities.

The ICD program is expected to cost approximately $1 million annually, which will be supported from existing out-of-province expenditures.

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For More Information, Contact:

Pete Paczko Health Regina Phone: (306)787-4083

Lori Foster Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region Regina Phone: (306)766-5332