First UK trial of heart failure operation
The first trial of a new procedure used to create a more effective cardio output in patients who have undergone a heart attack/condition involving the degradation of the heart wall, occured today at about 2 am. Sevket Gocer was the first recipient of the pioneering treatment in which a form of "cardiac sewing" was used to remodel the wall of his heart. As seen in the picture below, the permanently damaged scar tissue (grey) is weakened and as a result the chamber has been allowed to expand under the high pressure of ventricular systole. This, in turn, causes a lower pressure in the heart leading to a poorer ejection fraction and decreased blood pressure, ultimately increasing the possibility of sudden cardiac failure or a whole host of cardiac issues. The operation involves a far less invasive procedure than the traditional separation of the sternum and ribcage followed by perforation of pericardium. Instead a device can be fed inter-arteriously and the use of two sewing "anchors" can be used to close the wall together with the septum, reducing chamber volume and improving circulation and pressure whilst also removing the threat of further giving or even perforation of the heart wall.