Innovative technology provides ‘life changing’ results
A Wolverhampton patient has had ‘life changing’ results thanks to a new cardiac procedure using innovative technology designed to improve safety and efficiency.
Jean Langham was one of the first patients to be treated for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) using the pulsed field ablation technique.
The 76-year-old, said the treatment had been “a miracle” as previously she couldn’t even stand in the kitchen or walk to the bottom of the garden.
AF is the most common heart rhythm disturbance, affecting around 1.4 million people in the UK. It causes debilitating and life-limiting symptoms such as palpitations, breathlessness and fatigue.
Until now, catheter ablations to treat AF have mostly used thermal energy by either burning or freezing problematic heart tissue.
The new technology uses a non-thermal electric field energy source that targets heart tissue whilst avoiding damaging these other structures.
Jean said: “Before the operation, I had a racing heart. I couldn’t catch my breath. I couldn’t even stand in the kitchen to cook because of my AF.
“I was told by my Consultant Dr Petkar I could try some medication but it had significant risks. He recommended having ablation and said there was new technology that would be better for recovery.
“I can’t say I wasn’t frightened but the team were fantastic and so reassuring.
“They were so welcoming and made you feel at ease. “
The operation was a success, and Mrs Langham went home that evening.
She added: “The results have been life-changing and I would say it has been a miracle. I can now walk further and stand and cook better. It has really made such a difference and I am so grateful to the team.”
Dr Sanjiv Petkar, Consultant Cardiologist/Electrophysiologist at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: “In the past, we would use either deep freezing (‘cryo ablation ‘) or cauterisation (‘radiofrequency ablation’) to destroy the abnormal signals in the left upper chamber of the heart, with a success rate of 70 to 80 per cent.
“Recently, a new form of energy, in the form of micro shocks (‘pulsed field ablation’) has emerged as a safer and as effective a modality for ablation of AF.
“We have now become the 5th centre in the UK to introduce pulsed field ablation using the Pulse Select catheter made by Medtronic Inc. for ablation of AF.
“It is exciting to be able to offer this new and safer modality of treatment to patients symptomatic with AF in the Black Country. A total of 17 cases have been done successfully so far.
“It is also a matter of pride that New Cross Hospital is in the forefront nationally in adopting such new technologies.
“I would like to thank each member of the team for helping to introduce this new technique to the Trust. I would also like to thank Dr Selvakumar Velu, my Consultant colleague, Dr Elisa McAlindon, Clinical Director for Cardiology and Chander Sharma, Group Manager for their support.”