Details of a new Screening Centre to be located at Tallaght Hospital were announced on November 28th. This Centre is a collaborative effort between CRY, Tallaght and St. James’ Hospitals, the Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Trinity College Dublin.
The Unit, due to open in January 2007, will offer potentially life saving screening for families affected by Sudden Cardiac Death and other heart complications in people.
Consultant Cardiologists Professor Ian Graham along with Dr. David Mulcahy are spearheading the Tallaght Unit in the Institute of Cardiovascular Science.
The unit gives effect to one of the recommendations of the Task Force which recommended that first degree relatives of people affected by SCD should be screened. This development is the realisation of a major objective of CRY since its foundation in 2002.
The screening process at Tallaght will involve taking a detailed medical history and investigations such as blood tests and monitoring the heart during exercise.
Commenting on the development Professor Graham said that
“It is quick and routine. We would try to provide this at a single visit and we would hope that it will be available without charge to anyone”.
“Those found to be at risk can then be treated through lifestyle change, medication or surgery, depending on the diagnosis” he added. People will be able to access the Unit through their GP or through CRY.
The Unit will benefit from links to research and expertise at Trinity College Dublin and at other teaching hospitals, particularly in the area of genetics. To quote Professor Graham again, “you simply cannot counsel families adequately without expert genetics”. At the Unit, Cardiologist Dr. Deirdre Ward will work with families affected by SCD. Dr. Ward is returning from the Heart Hospital in London where she researched inherited cardiac disorders. Dr. Ward stated that “the important thing is that even though some of these conditions can be fatal in some family members, not everybody in the family who inherits the genetic factors will suffer the same outcome. There are ways of identifying people who are higher risk”.
While the new Unit will partly be funded through he Department of Health, the primary source of funds for its development will depend primarily on private and philanthropic donations in the first three years.
CRY has already been engaged in fundraising for the Unit. Commenting on the development Michael Greene, Chairman of CRY stated that “this development represents the realisation of a major objective of CRY”. He added that “C R Y was delighted to be associated and involved with this development”.
“SCD is a dreadful tragedy. It is indescribable in its effects on families. The screening is therefore very important to help clear the air for families considered in the high risk category in the sense that if family members are screened for the condition they may be re-assured or, if they have the condition they can be helped. Screening Saves Lives”. he added.
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