Our Areas of Expertise
Discover the specifics of what we do.
Over 2000 patients per annum.
Overall patient experience NPS rating.
World leading image-guided healthcare
We are New Zealand’s centre of excellence for advanced image-guided precision medical diagnostics and interventions. Opening in 1990 and under the leadership of Professor John Ormiston, IntraCare was an early adopter of many cardiac interventional procedures, including TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation), implanting the first device in the Asia Pacific region in 2008.
Our services cover three speciality areas with more than 30 practising specialists.
Interventional Cardiology
Interventional Cardiology (IC) is a speciality area dedicated towards the management of coronary artery disease and structural heart problems.
Coronary artery disease is diagnosed with a minimally invasive technique known as coronary angiography, where fine tubes known as catheters are used to take X-ray images of the coronary arteries. Coronary disease can then be treated using the same minimally invasive approach, usually in the same setting, using techniques known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). PCI involves treatment of coronary narrowing using metal scaffolds known as stents, which have been shown to improve symptoms and quality of life as compared to medical therapy. In many situations, this can provide a safe and effective alternative to open heart surgery.
Structural heart problems that can be treated using minimally invasive techniques include narrowed valves and abnormal connections between the chambers of the heart. At IntraCare, we provide treatment for these conditions, including aortic stenosis, patent foramen ovale, atrial septal defects and left atrial appendage occlusion. These techniques can also provide a safe and effective alternative to open heart surgery in selected cases.
Electrophysiology
Electrophysiology (EP) is a specialised field of cardiology that focuses on the electrical activity of the heart. It involves diagnosing and treating abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
Electrophysiology procedures are performed by inserting a small, flexible tube into a blood vessel, allowing electrode catheters to be guided up to the heart. Using advanced technology, abnormal electrical pathways can be identified and, if suitable, corrected with targeted catheter ablation. This minimally invasive approach helps restore normal heart rhythms, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Electrophysiology procedures also include the implantation of cardiac devices, such as pacemakers for slow heart rhythms and cardiac resynchronisation devices for heart failure treatment.
Arrhythmias that we treat at IntraCare include atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), ventricular arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia (VT) and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and bradyarrhythmias.
Interventional Radiology
Interventional Radiology (IR) is a specialised branch of medicine that utilises advanced medical imaging techniques, to perform a wide range of minimally invasive procedures.
Interventional Radiology performs both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures through very small incisions.
Diagnostic interventional radiology (IR) procedures are performed to aid in diagnosis or guide further medical treatment. These procedures include image-guided tumour biopsies, angiograms—where a contrast dye is injected into blood vessels to assess circulation—and cholangiograms, which involve injecting contrast into the bile ducts to identify blockages within the liver.
Therapeutic interventional radiology (IR) procedures treat various conditions, including cancer and vascular disease. Examples include tumour ablation, embolisation to block abnormal blood flow, angioplasty and stenting to restore circulation, and drainage procedures for fluid or infection. These treatments often replace invasive surgery, reducing recovery time and risk.
Back to running.
“I recently had a cardiac procedure with IntraCare. I’m looking forward to getting back to running and regular exercise.”
– Antony, 63