‘Bonus time’ for heart op Ruth, 101
AN 101-year-old woman is enjoying a new lease of life after becoming one of the oldest people in the UK to be fitted with a new heart valve.
Ruth Shire underwent the life-saving keyhole surgery, which has recently been rolled out to patients of all ages, despite being available on the NHS for more than 15 years.
She is now looking forward to some “bonus time” after having a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Retired nurse Mrs Shire had been diagnosed with aortic stenosis, a narrowed heart valve, after becoming increasingly breathless around a year ago.
She underwent the TAVI procedure as an alternative to open heart surgery, reserved for patients who may be considered high risk, usually due to their age.
The operation is designed to cure aortic valve stenosis, which happens when a crucial valve in the heart narrows and reduces blood flow around the body.
Around 300,000 Britons are believed to suffer from the condition and it is hoped TAVI being offered to all aortic valve stenosis patients could save thousands of lives.
Mrs Shire underwent the procedure, led by Dr Sagar Doshi, last month and was back at her Birmingham home just three days later.
She said: “The procedure went ahead as planned without pain and I was looked after very well, with all the staff paying great attention to my
comfort. The staff did their utmost to support me in getting me out of bed and back to walking the same day as the procedure.
“I am most grateful to the NHS and Dr Doshi’s team for going ahead with the procedure, as I had great reservations as regards the consequences of stroke and other complications.
“It shows that this procedure can be done in elderly people quite safely – especially people like me with my 101 years.”
Her daughter, Miriam Shire, added: “Since becoming a widow 18 years ago, my mother has held onto her independence with fierce determination.
“She still lives in her own house and runs a very active life. At the age of 101, she had never been ill and never been prescribed medicines.
“Her lovely GP recommended a consultant for the stenosis.
“She was referred to Dr Doshi, who explained very clearly the TAVI procedure, the risks involved and what the outcome would be.
“He was happy to have both me and my husband join mum at the consultation, so that we fully understood all the medical terminology and could discuss it as a family afterwards.
“We were surprised, and a little incredulous, when he told us at the initial consultation just before
Christmas that mum could expect to have her new valve by the end of March.
“We were even more delighted when the appointment came through for the beginning of February.
“It means so much to know that she, and we, will have some bonus quality time.
“We are grateful to the NHS for giving us this opportunity to enjoy her for longer.”
Mrs Shire is the oldest patient to undergo the procedure at the Birmingham QE, and is among the oldest people in the country to have it. As the procedure is minimally invasive – completed through a puncture in an artery at the top of the leg – patients recover quickly and can usually be discharged the next day.
Dr Doshi, the hospital’s TAVI director, said: “We’re delighted with the outcome for Mrs Shire and very pleased that we have helped maintain her well-being and independence, which is clearly very important to her and her family.”
We’re delighted with the outcome for Mrs Shire and very pleased we have helped maintain her wellbeing and independence. Dr Doshi