5 December 2011
Patients living with complex cardiac abnormalities and irregular heart rhythms are now receiving ground-breaking treatment in a new state-of-the-art catheter lab at Harefield Hospital. The advanced equipment now in place, including a remote-controlled robot, means greater numbers of patients are being treated at Harefield for some of the most common and debilitating heart conditions.
Patients seen in the new cath lab are already benefiting from one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in Europe. Experts are able to treat patients with complex cardiac arrhythmias (heart beating too fast or irregularly). This includes atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia, which affects one to two per cent of the population and more than five per cent of over 65s[1], and can cause disabling symptoms and increased risk of stroke. The new facility also provides state-of-the-art treatment for patients with life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia.
Dr Vias Markides, consultant cardiologist at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We wanted to create a state-of-the-art facility that would increase our capacity to treat those patients who we know are currently living with heart problems. I am delighted that we can now support even more people with this impressive new facility at Harefield Hospital.
"The new cath lab will also provide staff with unique learning, giving them access to some of the most advance equipment available for treating common and complex heart conditions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank St Jude Medical, our partner in this initiative, for their support."
The arrival of the Hansen robot in the new lab at Harefield Hospital means the Trust is the only one in the country to benefit from two types of advanced remote catheter navigation, each having unique strengths. Both allow precise catheter manipulation and reduction of exposure to X-rays for both patients and staff.
The robot allows specially trained cardiologists to treat patients with increased precision by the use of remote control and high-tech 3D mapping technology and is ideal for treating patients with atrial fibrillation and other complex arrhythmias.
Doctors have developed the new facility at Harefield Hospital with the support of St Jude Medical. Vice president of the UK, Ireland and Canada, Paul Turner, said, "We are really pleased to partner with Harefield Hospital on such an important project and hope that our combined efforts may help improve access to arrhythmia management treatments. Our goal is to break technological barriers and help healthcare professionals create the best possible care for patients in and around West London, the South of England and the surrounding region."
[1] Feinberg WM, Blackshear JL, Laupacis A, Kronmal R, Hart RG. Prevalence, age distribution, and gender of patients with atrial fibrillation: analysis and implications. Arch Intern Med 1995; 155: 46973.
