About the Team

A/Prof Gareth Wynn

Electrophysiologist and Cardiologist CASL Accredited Lead Extractor MBChB BSc(Hons) DIC MD(Res) MRCP(UK) FRACP FCSANZ FHRS FESC

Gareth is a consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne. He leads the lead extraction service for Victoria and Tasmania, and performs extractions at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Melbourne Private Hospital.

He trained in cardiology and electrophysiology in the UK, completing an MD on atrial fibrillation at Imperial College London, followed by an advanced electrophysiology and pacing fellowship in Melbourne. He is a European Heart Rhythm Association certified electrophysiology specialist, chairs the ANZ lead extraction committee and has received awards from the British Heart Rhythm Society, British Cardiovascular Society and British Heart Foundation.

Prof Alistair Royse

Cardiac Surgeon CASL Accredited Lead Extractor AM, MBBS MD FRACS FCSANZ

Alistair is a cardiothoracic surgeon at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Melbourne Private Hospital, with senior leadership roles in the University of Melbourne Department of Surgery and Melbourne Medical School. His interests include total arterial coronary bypass, valve repair, complex aortic surgery and pacemaker lead extraction.

For all but the lowest-risk extractions, he and his team are standing by in theatre, ready to step in immediately if emergency heart surgery is needed. He received the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons’ Sir Louis Barnett Medal in 2022 and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2025 for significant service to medicine as a cardiothoracic surgeon, researcher, educator and trainer.

Prof Colin Royse

Cardiac Anaesthetist Professor of Anaesthesia, University of Melbourne

Colin is a cardiothoracic anaesthetist at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Professor of Anaesthesia at the University of Melbourne. He provides the general anaesthetic and monitoring during extraction procedures, including the ultrasound of the heart through the food pipe that guides the team during the operation.

His research focuses on cardiac surgery outcomes, quality of recovery after surgery, and echocardiography and clinical ultrasound. He is a founder of the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale, has published more than 230 peer-reviewed papers, and received the Australian Society of Anaesthetists’ Pugh Award.

Dr George Heriot

Infectious Disease Specialist MBBS BAMedSc GradDipClinUS PhD FRACP

George is an infectious diseases physician at Melbourne Private and Epworth Hospitals. Infection is the most common reason a lead needs to be removed, and George advises on the antibiotic treatment needed before and after extraction and on when it is safe to implant a new device.

His PhD was on the management of Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection, and his research covers bloodstream infection, infective endocarditis and the right duration of antibiotic treatment. He sits on the global steering committee of the multinational S. aureus Network Adaptive Platform (SNAP) trial and received the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Medal.

Annie Martin

Theatre Sister Theatre nursing

Annie leads the theatre nursing for lead extraction. A highly experienced cardiac surgical nurse, Annie is a critical part of the lead extraction team. She makes sure the specialised extraction equipment and the theatre team are ready for each procedure, and cares for patients while they are in the operating theatre and often helps provide ongoing expert nursing care for patients requiring a prolonged hospital stay.

Casie Samantzis

Administrator Patient and referrer enquiries

Casie is the first point of contact for patients and referring doctors. She coordinates referrals and appointments, and organises admissions for patients having their extraction at a private hospital.