Heart unit pumped for action

By MATTHEW TORBIT

Sarah Macindoe-Baker had open-heart surgery when she was just a month old.

The Dunedin 4-year-old was born with an undeveloped aorta and a hole in her heart and this week had her last regular checkups alongside adults at Green Lane Hospital.

Future visits to Auckland for Sarah will be to Starship children's hospital, which opens its heart unit next month.

Hospital spokesman Andrew Young said heart problems were often accompanied by other medical complications, and young patients frequently travelled between Green Lane and Starship for treatment.

"Many patients are from out of Auckland and it can be daunting negotiating between hospitals."

Mr Young also said Starship was a friendlier and more comfortable environment for youngsters.

The centrepiece of the new unit is a $2.5 million bi-plane x-ray machine.

Dr Tom Gentles, clinical director of paediatric cardiology at Green Lane Hospital, said the German machine used two cameras working at right-angles.

"It gives us a roadmap of the pumping chamber of the heart and the vessels leading in and out of it."

The machine enabled doctors to perform a number of procedures using a catheter - a tiny tube inserted into blood vessels.

"We can put plugs in holes in the heart and dilate up arteries that are narrow. It's equipment that allows us to do keyhole surgery."

Although open-heart surgery was still necessary at times, Dr Gentles said the x-ray machine helped to avoid major surgery.

Sarah's mother, Ruth Macindoe-Baker, said her daughter had been to Green Lane five times for heart treatment. She was pleased any future visits would be to the new unit.

"It's so much better for Sarah. Starship is children-friendly and a purpose-built facility."

"Look at her," Ms Macindoe-Baker said as Sarah romped in the hospital's playground. "It was only yesterday [that she received treatment]."

* The Starship Foundation hopes to reach its $5.7 million fundraising target for the heart unit this year. Cheques can be sent to PO Box 9389, Newmarket, Auckland. Donations can be made online at the Starship website or phone (09) 307-4957.