The Operating Theatre Journal - Flipbook - Page 21
New heart laser procedure launched to speed up treatment times
Excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) is a minimally invasive procedure to treat re-narrowed stents, avoiding the need
for heart bypass surgery.
A caretaker from Spalding, Lincolnshire has become the 昀椀rst patient
at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to bene昀椀t from a
minimally invasive heart procedure, avoiding the need for heart bypass
surgery.
Michael Bronze (63), had an Excimer Laser Coronary Atherectomy
(ELCA), which is used to treat stents in coronary arteries that are underexpanded or have re-narrowed. The stents are cleaned via a laser, in a
minimally invasive procedure which leads to a quicker recovery time.
Mr Bronze, who works in a care home, 昀椀rst suffered a heart attack
in 1999 after which he had stents 昀椀tted into his coronary arteries to
widen them to allow blood to 昀氀ow more freely. Over the years he had
additional stents 昀椀tted but was recently suffering from breathlessness
and arm pain.
Originally being referred to Peterborough City Hospital for an
angiogram, he was then referred onto Royal Papworth Hospital, the
UK’s leading heart and lung hospital.
Initially told heart bypass surgery was his only option, Michael was then
offered this new procedure, performed under local anaesthetic.
Dr Stephen Hoole (second from left), Dr Peter O’Kane (centre) and
representatives from Philips and the Royal Papworth Hospital cath
lab team
After inspection via a camera through his wrist, he had his stents
lasered clean in approximately three hours by a cath lab team led by
consultant cardiologist, Dr Stephen Hoole. He was in hospital for just
one day, rather than the much longer stay associated with cardiac
surgery.
“I’d like to thank the whole catheter laboratory team here at Royal
Papworth Hospital, our partners Philips, and Dr Peter O’Kane from
Royal Bournemouth Hospital for making this Royal Papworth Hospital
昀椀rst possible.
Michael said: “I knew I’d probably have to have a bypass so to get the
call and be told about this new procedure was very refreshing and I
was delighted to get it done. I felt a little delicate at 昀椀rst after the
procedure but I’m so chuffed.
“A particular mention also to senior physiologist Sandra Silva who also
helped ensure laser safety with staff laser training updates.
“One signi昀椀cant thing I’ve noticed is that I’m not so breathless and I’ve
got more clearness in my head as more blood and oxygen gets to my
brain. I’ve felt so much better, although I can never sit still so I’ve had
to beware of overdoing it straight away.
“I’d like to thank the staff at Royal Papworth Hospital for offering me
this new procedure and for their expert care.”
Dr Stephen Hoole, consultant cardiologist, added: “Under-expanded
and renarrowed stents are particularly challenging to treat.
“ELCA offers the ability to vaporise obstructive tissue inside and
outside the stent, enabling improved stent expansion and improving
blood 昀氀ow to downstream heart muscle, relieving angina as well as
reducing the risk of future stent failure.
“We look forward to being able to offer this new treatment to more
patients with complex coronary disease subsets within our wider
region.”
Oliver Goss, Philips Image Guided Therapy Specialist Leader said: “We
are delighted that the team at Royal Papworth were able to deliver
their 昀椀rst laser atherectomy case using Philips innovation, a true
milestone for local patients with heart disease.
“The Philips (Spectranetics) CVX Laser system, built on more than
20 years proven technology, offers clinical versatility to safely treat
complex conditions. The simple procedure utilises cool ultraviolet laser
with a sonic wave, for precise treatment with minimal or no damage to
surrounding tissue.”
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Issue 397
October
2023
21