THE first open-heart surgery in a private hospital has been successfully performed by Dr Roger Irvine at Medical Associates Hospital just over a week ago.

According to Dr Irvine, the patient, Herold Russell, has been recuperating well in the hospital’s high dependency unit and should soon be discharged from hospital.

“He is doing very well, he is no longer on oxygen. He has been walking the length of the ward and as soon as he does the stairs I told him he can go home,” Irvine told the Jamaica Observer last Thursday.

The 61-year-old Russell’s life should be less stressful as he had been suffering from severe heart disease for several years.

In order for the open heart surgery to be done, a vein must be harvested for coronary artery bypass grafting. The vein is normally taken from the patient by surgically cutting the leg from thigh to ankle, Dr Irvine explained.

However, in Russell’s case the vein was harvested endoscopically — also a first for the country.

Endoscopy is the least invasive form of the surgery and is done by placing a graft through tiny holes without any opening of the chest.

Dr Irvine was assisted by Dr Moses deGraft-Johnson, a United States-based cardio-thoracic surgeon, and support staff from Medical Associates, University Hospital of the West Indies and the United States.

The surgery formed the launch of a new cardiac programme, headed by Dr Irvine and deGraft-Johnson in association with Medical Associates Hospital.

Previously, coronary artery bypass surgery was available only at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

The procedure costs $1 million at a public hospital, but could run up to as much as $4 million in a private health facility.

Last Thursday, Dr Irvine explained that the surgery was not previously offered at private hospitals due to the prohibitive cost of equipment.

There are only three cardiac surgeons in Jamaica.