Dr Brendan Gunalingam
Highly experienced Interventional Cardiologist Dr Brendan Gunalingam provides compassionate care and exceptional results.
Dr Gunalingam has been at the forefront of cardiac care advancements for over two decades, specialising in complex coronary interventional procedures and structural heart interventions.
He is also an International Proctor for LAA Occlusion, implementing the implantation of the innovative Watchman device.
Educational Background
Dr Gunalingam attended Sydney Grammar School and immediately after completing his Higher School Certificate, he entered the undergraduate medical program at The University of Sydney, from where he earned his MBBS.
He undertook basic physician training at The Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, followed by advanced cardiology training at St Vincent’s Hospital. He became a Fellow of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2000.
Advanced Training & Career
Dr Gunalingam’s postgraduate interventional training included a year at St Vincent’s Hospital and a second year at The Eastern Heart Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, where he trained in complex coronary interventional and structural procedures at both institutions. He further honed his skills overseas as a consultant interventional cardiologist at The Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
Since returning to Australia in 2002, Dr Gunalingam has worked as an Interventional Cardiologist in both the public and private sectors. He is currently the Director of the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at Gosford Private Hospital and a Fellow of The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (USA), and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Current Hospital & Teaching Positions
- Interventional Cardiologist:
- St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney
- St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Sydney
- Gosford District Hospital, Gosford
- Gosford Private Hospital, Gosford
- Wyong Hospital, Wyong
- Director of Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory:
- Gosford Private Hospital
- International Proctor for LAA Occlusion with the Watchman Device
- Accredited CTCA Specialist (accredited to level B, the highest accreditation level):
- Senior Lecturer in Medicine:
- University of Newcastle, Newcastle
A Career Committed to Service
Showing his commitment to providing services to cardiology in the public system, in addition to treating some of the neediest patients in the public sector, Dr Gunalingam has also dedicated his time in leadership and teaching roles taking on extra responsibilities beyond his practice.
- Past Director of Cardiovascular Services, Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Service, which at the time included Royal North Shore Hospital, Hornsby Hospital, Gosford Hospital, Wyong Hospital, Manly Hospital, Mona Vale Hospital and Ryde Hospital
- Past Director of Cardiology, Gosford & Wyong Hospitals
- Past IMET NSW State Cardiology Training Committee, NSW Health
- Past Accredited Supervisor for Advanced Training in Cardiology, Royal Australasian College of Physicians
- Past Member of the Human Research Ethics Committee, NSCCAHS
- Past Examiner, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Gosford Hospital
Clinical Areas of Specialisation
Cardiology Procedures
- Diagnostic Coronary Angiography and Right Heart Catheterisation
- Coronary Angioplasty and Stent procedures
- Rotational Atherectomy
- FFR and IVUS assessment of coronary vasculature
- Chronic Total Occlusion revascularisation
- ASD and PFO closure
- Left Atrial Appendage closure procedures and other structural procedures.
Proctoring and Innovation
Dr Gunalingam has been an international proctor for Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) occlusion using the WATCHMAN Device since 2010, with significant teaching experience across major cities in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. He has one of the highest volumes for Watchman implantation in annual tallies for procedures performed in Australia and New Zealand.
Memberships
Clinical Trials
Dr Gunalingam has been a principal and co-investigator for several multi-centre clinical trials, and more recently specific involvement in trials evaluating left atrial appendage closure devices. His involvement in cutting-edge research ensures that he remains at the leading edge of cardiology practice.
Dr Gunalingam has also been invited to present as a speaker at international scientific meetings and is widely published in peer reviewed medical journals.
Dr Gunalingam’s dedication to patient care, coupled with his expertise and leadership in interventional cardiology, positions him as a leading specialist in his field.