A new cardiology service in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua, which occupies a central position in the north-eastern Caribbean, was the site of a new Cardiac Centre, based at the Government Hospital. Together with the smaller surrounding Islands, a population of a quarter of a million/persons was thus offered cardiac care with great savings in total cost and travelling. The new cardiac clinic enrolled 78 patients, and provided a base for surgery assessment, pacemaker follow-up, and teaching. A new echocardiography service benefited 127 patients, of whom 9 subsequently underwent open-heart surgery. Two new avenues for surgery were formed. A new permanent pacemaker implantation service resulted in 3 implants, and temporary pacemaker therapy became operational. These services ceased in late 1989.