Same-day heart procedure launched
Eligible patients undergoing a minimally invasive valve replacement procedure can now be discharged just hours after treatment.
Eligible patients are now able to undergo a potentially life-changing heart procedure at Castle Hill Hospital and return home the very same day.
The hospital has introduced same-day discharge for selected patients having Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, known as TAVI.
TAVI is a minimally invasive procedure used to replace an aortic valve that does not open fully.
By improving blood flow to the heart, the treatment can help reduce symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness and fatigue, and improve quality of life for many patients.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, meaning patients do not need to undergo open-heart surgery.
Patients are carefully assessed before treatment through a rigorous pre-procedure pathway to make sure same-day discharge is safe and appropriate for them.
The first patient to undergo the new same-day discharge procedure was Chris Garforth, a keen mountain biker.
Chris first realised something was wrong when he found himself struggling to cycle up a hill near his home without having to stop for breath.
He was later diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis and referred to the TAVI team at Castle Hill Hospital.
Chris arrived at the hospital at 7.30am on the day of his procedure and was able to return home by 4pm.
He said the impact of the treatment was noticeable within days.
Chris said: “Within days, the difference was incredible. The breathlessness had gone and I was able to walk without stopping.
“One of the biggest benefits was being able to sleep in my own bed that night.”
The hospital says the development marks an important milestone for its structural heart service.
As well as allowing patients to recover more comfortably at home, same-day discharge is expected to help clinical teams treat more people sooner.
The service is available to eligible patients who meet the clinical criteria and are assessed as suitable for discharge on the same day as their procedure.