Queensland Cardiovascular Group is pleased to welcome Dr Lorcan Ruane to the team. A general cardiologist with formal specialisations in echocardiography and cardio-oncology, Dr Ruane brings a rare combination of advanced cardiac imaging expertise and internationally trained cancer related heart care to patients across South East Queensland.
A career built on curiosity and purpose
Dr Ruane’s path to cardiology began with a fundamental fascination.
"I've just always been fascinated by the heart, as a core part of how our body functions. Cardiovascular disease has always been the most common cause of morbidity and mortality. I'd always wanted to specialise in something that was always going to be in demand and relevant."
 
After completing an undergraduate science degree at the University of Queensland, Dr Ruane undertook his medical degree at the University of Sydney, where he began conducting cardiovascular research, publishing scientific papers and presenting at national conferences. His academic work earned him university prizes and scholarships.
He returned to Brisbane to complete his junior and physician training at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) before proceeding to advanced cardiology training at both the RBWH and The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH). After achieving his Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Cardiology), Dr Ruane pursued sub-specialty training in advanced echocardiography at TPCH.
From Brisbane to London and back
It was during his early training years at the Royal Brisbane that Dr Ruane first encountered the patients who would shape his career direction.
"It was really my early years training as a resident and a registrar at the Royal Brisbane, looking after both cardiovascular and cancer patients, that inspired me to want to care for that type of patient. I discovered there was a subspecialty that existed internationally called cardio-oncology. It was already quite a big thing overseas in Europe and America. And, back then, no one else was formally trained here in Australia in this area."
To develop that expertise, Dr Ruane travelled to London, where he completed a clinical fellowship in cardio-oncology at the prestigious Royal Brompton Hospital. There, he helped deliver cardiovascular care to patients of the UK’s leading cancer hospital, the Royal Marsden.
"I was able to work with the world leader in the field, at one of the most prominent cancer hospitals in the world. I was really exposed to the full range of issues and patients and had a very high yield clinical experience. I was also able to make a lot of good connections and friendships, which has opened up a pretty large international network for me."
What makes cardio-oncology unique?
Dr Ruane is one of only a few cardiologists in Australia to have specific training and be formally qualified in cardio-oncology, the care of cardiovascular health in patients with cancer. He is passionate about increasing awareness of this important area of unmet need in Queensland.
"Within cardio-oncology, the problems we usually deal with are a bit more ambiguous and there's a lot less evidence to guide our management decisions. I like this because it means we actually get to use our brain a bit more and problem solve in novel ways rather than just blindly following guidelines."
A patient-centred approach
Above all, Dr Ruane’s most valued skill is his ability to communicate and connect with his patients.
"I think communicating with the patient is so important so that they actually feel like they understand what's going on. I like to balance evidence-based and pragmatic decision making and combine that with effective communication. I prefer to do an appropriate number of investigations. You don't want to over-investigate, you don't want to over-treat, you just have to find that balance."
Consulting Locations
Dr Lorcan Ruane is now accepting referrals across his areas of specialisation, including general cardiology, echocardiography (transthoracic, stress and transoesophageal, including advanced 3D imaging), and cardio-oncology.
To learn more about Dr Ruane, visit his profile here.
To refer a patient to Dr Ruane, please contact QCG on (07) 3016 1111 or click here.
Dr Ruane consults at:
If you have received a referral to see Dr Ruane, please contact our team per details below, or complete our Patient Enquiry form by clicking here.
📞 (07) 3016 1111 | 📧 bookings@qcg.com.au
