Andre La Gerche is a cardiologist based at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. He looks after people with heart conditions that can be complex and time-critical, from ongoing problems to sudden changes that need quick care.
In many cases, patients come in because of symptoms like breathlessness, chest pain, palpitations, fainting, or swelling in the legs. Heart issues can also show up after infections or other health problems, so he works with patients to understand what’s going on and what the next step should be.
His cardiac care covers areas like heart failure and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). He also sees people with atrial fibrillation, other rhythm problems, and episodes of fast heartbeat. For some patients, the focus is on longer-term rhythm control, while for others it’s about stabilising the situation first, then planning follow-up.
Andre also treats cardiomyopathy and related conditions, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy. Some people are dealing with inflammation of the heart muscle, such as myocarditis, or problems affecting the structure and function of the heart over time. At times, care may include management of pulmonary hypertension, and issues where blood flow and pressure in the lungs need close monitoring.
Emergencies are also part of the picture. That includes acute coronary syndrome and heart attack care, as well as serious conditions like cardiac arrest, aortic dissection, and major complications such as pulmonary oedema. He may be involved in assessing arrhythmias and conditions that can increase the risk of stroke, and he works around other diagnoses that show up alongside heart disease.
When the situation needs a more targeted approach, cardiac procedures like ablation can be part of care for some arrhythmias. Andre also deals with conditions that can be linked to other body systems, such as systemic sclerosis and scleroderma, where heart involvement can happen.
Overall, Andre La Gerche provides cardiology care for a wide range of heart and circulation conditions at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne. Patients can expect a practical, step-by-step approach to getting answers and making a safe plan for treatment.