Learning that one, or one`s loved one, is diagnosed with a heart or lung condition that requires an intervention is extremely challenging and intimidating. Keyhole (minimally invasive) endoscopic and robotic techniques by experience surgeons provide equal or improved results compared to conventional breastbone splitting (sternotomy) or chest wall opening (thoracotomy) procedures, which is still regarded as the gold-standard by many practices.
Dr. Johan van der Merwe is an internationally accredited robotic and keyhole (minimally invasive) cardiothoracic surgeon who treats heart and lung diseases without splitting the breastbone or opening the chest at the Keyhole Thorax Centre based in Cape Town (South Africa). He performed the first robotic heart and lung surgery in Africa, is the first African to become certified as member of the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery and is the first African to obtain an international PhD in keyhole (minimally invasive) mitral and tricuspid heart valve surgery.
cardiothoracic (heart and lung)
operations performed
of keyhole (minimally invasive)
cardiothoracic intervention experience
fellowships in robotic and keyhole
(minimally invasive) heart and lung surgery
international publications on
keyhole (minimally invasive) and
robotic cardiothoracic surgery
Designated service provider (DSP)
for many health care funders
Dr. Johan van der Merwe partners with general practitioners and healthcare specialists to ensure current best practice for heart and lung diseases as recommended by international treatment guidelines. He established an expert multidisciplinary infrastructure that consist of various specialists at the Keyhole Thorax Centre based at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital (South Africa) that ensures comprehensive patient centred care in addition to state-of-the-art keyhole (minimally invasive) heart and lung interventions.
The Atlantic Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute provides an additional platform where he continues to develop himself as an innovative researcher, keyhole surgical technology developer, passionate teacher and dynamic leader in keyhole heart and lung surgery in Africa.
Bloubergstrand
Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital
Suite C2-6
Waterfall crescent, Sunningdale, Cape Town
7441
South Africa
Office number: +27 21 554 4749
Milnerton
Mediclinic Milnerton
117 Racecourse Road, Milnerton, Cape Town
7441
Foreshore
Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital
Corner DF Malan Street and Rua Bartholemeu Dias Plain
Foreshore, Cape Town, South Africa
8001
Office Number: +27 21 554 9016
