The Specialist Forum Volume 13 No 11 November 2013 | Page 64

MARKET FORUM Breakthrough procedure offers hope to pregnant women with arrhythmia A ngela Carpenter was 22-weeks pregnant and suffering from a serious arrhythmia, a heart rhythm disorder which threatened both her life and that of her baby. Today her condition has been completely reversed thanks to a pioneering operation, which took place at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital in Cape Town. According to Dr Faizel Lorgat, an interventional cardiologist specialising in the treatment of arrhythmias, the procedure clearly demonstrated that it is possible to correct heart rhythm disorders in pregnant women without the use of medication or X-rays, both of which can be highly dangerous to the foetus. “We wanted to avoid the use of medication to control Carpenter’s heart rhythm disorder because of its toxicity for a 22-week-old foetus. On the other hand, the X-ray system generally used to assist in the remote ablation procedure emits levels of ionising radiation that can also prove harmful to a foetus. We therefore opted to go ahead with the procedure without the benefit of X-rays. To the best of my knowledge this is the first time that this operation has ever been performed in SA without using X-rays,” concluded Dr Lorgat.? CF S A powerful combination drug to beat hypertension outh Africa’s number one cardiovascular company, Pharma Dynamics is pleased to announce the launch of Bilocor Co (Bisoprolol hydrochlorothiazide) a line extension to their leading beta blocker Bilocor. Bilocor Co is a low dose multimechanism agent that combines the cardioselective beta blocker bisoprolol fumarate with hydrochlorothiazide. Bilocor Co is indicated for the treatment of hypertension in patients who have been stabilised on the individual components given in the same proportions. Bilocor Co is available in three different strengths at an SEP (excl. VAT) of R65.00 for 2,5/6,25 mg, R69.00 for the 5/6,25 mg and R74.00 for 10/6,25 mg, all strengths are packed in 30’s. Bilocor Co offers patients savings of up to 44% versus the originator, making the management of hypertension even more affordable. For full prescribing information refer to the package insert approved by the Medicines Regulatory Authority. The package insert is available on request from Karin Bissolati at tel: [phone] or e-mail [email protected].? CF S3 Bilocor Co 2, 5 / 6, 25 Each film coated tablet contains 2,5 mg bisoprolol fumarate and 6,25 mg hydrochlorothiazide. 44/7.1.3/1010 S3 Bilocor Co 5 / 6, 25 Each film coated tablet contains 5 mg bisoprolol fumarate and 6,25 mg hydrochlorothiazide. 44/7.1.3/1011 S3 Bilocor Co 10 / 6, 25 Each film coated tablet contains 10 mg bisoprolol fumarate and 6,25 mg hydrochlorothiazide. 44/7.1.3/1012 Page 6 November 2013 | Cardiology & Stroke Forum