Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery
Cardiology
The Cardiology Department conducts considerable scientific research and has been recognised for its work by the Belgian government. Numerous cardiologists from all over the world train here too.
To support its research activities, the Department has its own Cardiac Research Fund (sponsored by the King Baudouin Foundation), and several of the Department's staff are key opinion leaders, running courses and both chairing and speaking at many international conferences.
Marc Vanderheyden, MD, Head of the Cardiology Department
Fellowships are offered in this centre. Read more under "Fellowships".
Procedures Performed
Treatment performed yearly: 9,000 diagnostic procedures and 3,000 operations
- Electrophysiological Study and Radiofrequency Ablation
- Electrophysiological Study and Pacemaker Implantation
- Electrophysiological Study and Biventricular ICD Implantation
- Heart Catheterisation and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (with drugs)
- Eluting Stent Implantation
- Percutaneous Closure of Atrial Septal Defect
- Cathlab, Cardiology Department OLV Hospital
Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Unit
The Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Unit was founded in 1980 by Dr Vanermen.
Today, five surgeons perform approximately 1,300 heart operations, 700 vascular operations and 180 lung operations each year.
Hugo Vanermen, MD, Founder (1980) and Head of the OLV Hospital's Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Unit.
Dr Vanermen (named a Baron in 2006 by Belgium's King Albert II) has introduced new technologies in the field of cardiac surgery and has also been a pioneer in wholly endoscopic cardiac surgery techniques.
He is a member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the International Society of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery and the European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Former Chair of the EACTS Committee on New Technology. Programme Chairman of the Annual OLV College: key to advanced cardiac surgery (Master of Valve repair) and the quarterly OLV College on OPCAB surgery with live surgery transmission from Aalst.
Fellowships are offered in this centre. Read more under "Fellowships".
Procedures Performed:
- Endoscopic Mitral and Tricuspid Valve Surgery:
1,500 endoscopic valve procedures have been performed since 1997
- Endovascular Aortic Stentgrafting: more than 300 procedures so far
Contact Details
OLV Hospital
Moorselbaan 164
B-9300 Aalst
www.Cardio-aalst.be
