Heart Consult

[Aussieroaming]

Hello

Could anyone recommend a good heart specialist in the Bangkok area.

I need to resolve a potential issue uncovered by a doctor recently

Thanks

[Sheryl]

Can you be a bit more specific as to the nature of the problem, as I need to determine if you need a cardiac surgeon vs. a cardiologist.

Also, do you have insurance? As costs vary by hospital.

[Aussieroaming]

Thanks Sheryl, I want to get an echo cardiograph done and then follow up with whatever the outcome is. I've got a leaking valve that has caused the left chamber in my heart to become enlarged, so I presume they will have to fix the valve.

I don't have insurance but I will pay cash for each step and I prefer private to public just for the convenience and choice of practitioner.

[macleans]

Siriraj private hospital has one of the best cardiac centers in Thailand with a vast array of specialists. The following are the links to the bios of those specialists with their respective office hours. Unfortunately, the info is in Thai, but if you click on the blue tab next to the picture of each doctor, you'll be able to read his/her bio in english. As I'm Thai, I can help give you the english names of the doctors you're interested.

Cardiologists

http://www.siphhospital.com/th/medical-services/find-doctor.php?dept_list=30

Thoracic and heart surgeons

http://www.siphhospital.com/th/medical-services/find-doctor.php?dept_list=28

Vascular surgeons

http://www.siphhospital.com/th/medical-services/find-doctor.php?dept_list=27

btw, the words ผศ, รศ, and ศ you see in front of the names stand for assistant professor, associate professor, and professor respectively.

Edited February 1, 2014 by macleans

[Aussieroaming]

Hi Macleans

My wife (also Thai) has been investigating and she has also nominated Siriraj as first choice, so now I just need to find out a good specialist. We just couldn't find out if they did Echo Cardiographs there.

Your help is much appreciated, thank you

[macleans]

I believe good hospitals with a dedicated cardiac center do echocardiograph. Siriraj private has these 2 Eco specialists.

http://www.siphhospital.com/th/medical-services/doctor-biography.php?id=246

http://www.siphhospital.com/th/medical-services/doctor-biography.php?id=168

and this doctor seems to be a specialist in valve related issues. Maybe Sheryl can help you on this.

http://www.siphhospital.com/th/medical-services/doctor-biography.php?id=1

[Sheryl]

They can do echos. All the major hospitals can, and if you haven't had one yet that is certainly the first step. Unless your ejection fraction is below a certain level surgery is not indicated.

Note that Siriraj has a public hospital and a private hospital -- same doctors. The private facility costs a great deal more but lacks the red tape, delays and other disadvantages. This is the website of the private wing http://www.siphhospital.com/en/index.html

the following cardiac surgeons there look very well qualified (you do need a surgeon, not a cardiologist, for a valve problem)

http://www.siphhospital.com/th/medical-services/doctor-biography.php?id=326

http://www.siphhospital.com/th/medical-services/doctor-biography.php?id=321

http://www.siphhospital.com/th/medical-services/doctor-biography.php?id=328

http://www.siphhospital.com/th/medical-services/doctor-biography.php?id=325

If Siriraj location is not convenient for you (it's across the river in Thonburi) , there is also a good cardiothoracic team at Bumrungrad (Sukhumvit Soi 1-3). However will cost more than Siriraj. http://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Pattanasak-Lertpradit

Another option is Saint Louis Hospital (Sathirn road) , Dr. Kittachai - will likely cost the same or less than Siriraj private. http://www.saintlouis.or.th/clinic/doctor.php?dr_id=404

All of the doctors mentioned trained abroad and speak excellent English.

[Aussieroaming]

Thank you for the kind information, which I will certainly use.

We could close this topic now and I appreciate the thorough replies

Again, thanks

[FBN]

Value of this forum is more often the actual experience of the individual after the consult and/or procedure rather than just the referral info. No need for detailed and confidential medical info sharing if you don't feel comfortable doing so.

Echo will confirm the actual leak and amount of blood flowing back into the heart; it will also show the pressure in the pulmonary circulation which is critical if it is a mitral valve. Siriraj and Bumrungrad will both have a colour echo which is more accurate.

Keep in mind that, if surgery is considered, the physician will probably also advise an angiogram. This is fairly routine but definitely adds to the cost. In Bumrungrad the cost of valve repair etc may come to 900K THB.

[Aussieroaming]

Thanks and I agree with the confidentiality, though in this instance there seems to be little value in obscuring the facts.

Actually I'm looking forward to progressing with this. B.P, is currently sitting around 175/120 and medication doesn't help, plus I'm feeling lethargic and I'm hoping that a simple procedure might help.

cheers

[Sheryl]

That is a dangerously high BP. And while it may worsen your valve disease, valve disease does not cause it. Suggest you see your doctor ASAP about adjusting meds.

[Aussieroaming]

That is a dangerously high BP. And while it may worsen your valve disease, valve disease does not cause it. Suggest you see your doctor ASAP about adjusting meds.

Unfortunately I think I have tried just about every BP medication combination known to medicine and my BP seems to be stubbornly immune to all types (I'm talking 15 years or more on medication). I'm on Exforge HTC now, which has reduced the BP to about 145-150.

Surprisingly I don't feel ill, just lack the energy levels I normally have, so I was hoping the valve might have been a contributor to the BP.