World first as British dad gets golf ball-sized heart pump that is as good as a transplant
A PIONEERING artificial heart pump the size of a golf ball could transform the lives of thousands of patients.
The miniaturised ventricular assist device (MVAD) has been developed by British experts.
Retired father-of-three Harry Chivers, 63, was the first person in the world to have one fitted two weeks ago.
After suffering a heart attack in August, his health was failing and he was waiting for a transplant when the possibility of becoming a pioneer arose.
Mr Chivers travelled to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne for the treatment by Professor Stephan Schueler.
Since then, the married former general manager has made good progress, is feeling stronger and could be allowed home to Bangor, County Down, within days.
The £80,000 device, smaller than previous artificial hearts and with sophisticated controls and settings that allow it to adapt to the patient’s lifestyle, sits on the tip of the heart and helps it to pump blood. Professor Schueler, a consultant cardiac surgeon, said there were hundreds of thousands of people with advanced heart disease, and in the past treatment was limited to an elite few who could receive a transplant.
He said: ‘They have now the choice to get these revolutionary devices.’
Weighing 78grams, the MVAD is about the size of a golf ball – around half as large as previous devices.
It is powered by a battery pack from a wire that passes out of the patient’s abdomen. The pack can be carried in a bag or around the waist.
Professor Schueler said: ‘Our patient is doing very well today.
‘We will send him home next week. He is in the process of being taught how to use it, keep it clean and how to change the batteries – there are lots of safety features.’ Mr Chivers said: ‘ I feel great, it has really improved my breathing and the operation has gone really well.
‘I was quite happy to volunteer here because I have 100 per cent confidence in the fantastic hospital.
‘I am getting a lot better, I’m eating a lot better, I’m getting around and working on my physio. There’s a long way to go but I’m going to do it.’
The Freeman’s MVAD co- ordinator Neil Wrightson believes the new pump’s compact size made it a huge step forward. Its availability came ‘in the nick of time’ for Mr Chivers. ‘ He is not a dying man any more,’ Mr Wrightson said.
Because the MVAD is so tiny, it could be suitable for children with heart disease.
Patients would need to be poorly enough to require a heart transplant but well enough to recover from the treatment with support, Mr Wrightson added.
The device will now go through a lengthy trial process around the world.