Southampton cardiac unit hits heart valve procedure milestone

Heart experts at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) recently hit the milestone of performing 1,000 life-saving valve implant procedures.

Known as transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), it is designed to treat a condition called aortic valve stenosis.

This occurs when the valve between the lower left heart chamber and the main outlet valve from the heart to the body (the aortic valve) is narrowed and doesn't open fully which reduces or blocks blood flow.

The keyhole surgery involves making a small incision, usually in the groin, and inserting a catheter (tube) into an artery at the top of the leg.

The artificial valve is made of cow heart tissue mounted around a deflated balloon. This is then inserted into the body and is threaded up to the heart.

Once in position the balloon is inflated, expanding the artificial valve into the narrowed area, fixing it in place.

Aortic valve stenosis affects almost 300,000 people in the UK and is most common in older people but some younger people born with a heart defect may also have the condition.

Symptoms include chest pain, fatigue, fainting, breathlessness and abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia). If left untreated it can lead to and heart failure and is potentially fatal.

The TAVI procedure offers a safer and less invasive treatment option for patients who have been deemed unsuitable for conventional open heart surgery involving the aortic valve.

Until recently it was reserved only for NHS patients deemed too old or frail to survive open-heart surgery.

UHS has one of the largest and most reputable cardiac centres in the UK and treats around 200 patients every year with aortic valve stenosis.

The innovative procedure was first performed at the Trust in 2009, with the TAVI team celebrating procedure 1,000 earlier this month.

John Rawlins, consultant interventional cardiologist at UHS, said: “We’re very proud to reach this milestone because it demonstrates how our specialist TAVI team have continued to lead, innovate and expand despite all the challenges we have faced with the impact of COVID-19 and ongoing pressures on the NHS and waiting lists.

“As with most procedures, there are pros and cons to both but we always spend time going through this at length with our patients to ensure the right choice is made with them.

“Recovery is usually quick, patients often only need to stay in for a couple of days post-procedure and this, in turn, frees up valuable hospital beds and NHS resources allowing us to treat more patients at speed.”

He added: “I’m extremely proud of the whole cardiac team here who have helped us to get to this momentous position. We will continue to strive for the very best for our patients through innovation, determination and hard work which is helping to improve outcomes and quality of life.”

Natalie Dawson, TAVI clinical nurse specialist at UHS, said: “Our highly experienced team have dedicated TAVI lists, with facilities constantly expanding to meet the growing demands of the service.

“This includes a new catheter lab opening later this year which will create more capacity for this and other cardiac procedures.

“Patients receive all aspects of pre and post TAVI care and treatment within our purpose-built centre which benefits from a specialist cardiac intensive care unit (CICU), cardiac high dependency unit (CHDU) and state-of-the-art cardiac catheter labs.

“Our staff are all highly trained in this specialist area of care and we look forward to evolving the service further in the near future with a new designated TAVI hybrid lab and ward area to accelerate recovery and facilitate same day and next day discharge for our patients.”

She added: “I’m so pleased to be celebrating this success with the whole TAVI team – it is a testament to everyone who dedicates so much to this department and the patients we care for.”

The team celebrated the achievement at an event held at the hospital last week attended by patients and colleagues past and present, as well as David French, chief executive, and Gail Byrne, chief nursing officer.