Patient was “all for it” as his heart operation is broadcast live from Sheffield hospital

Going to hospital for a heart procedure is stressful enough for anyone. In pensioner Christopher Wild’s case, there was a live international audience – and he still made it home the same day.

Cardiologists at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust performed the cutting-edge heart valve replacement procedure.

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The streamlined transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) showcased the facility’s leading role in cardiovascular disease research, says the Trust, and enabled Mr Wild, 80, to go home within hours of having his faulty heart valve fixed.

The pensioner, who was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, said he hoped the procedure would put “years on his lifespan”.

Consultant Cardiologist Dr Javaid Iqbal, Christopher Wild and staff nurse Victoria Shackley.Consultant Cardiologist Dr Javaid Iqbal, Christopher Wild and staff nurse Victoria Shackley.
Consultant Cardiologist Dr Javaid Iqbal, Christopher Wild and staff nurse Victoria Shackley.

It was broadcast to a training conference attended by more than 1,000 cardiologists from across the world and performed by a specialist team of cardiologists and nurses at the South Yorkshire Cardiothoracic Centre using the streamlined light-touch TAVI pathway – which was introduced in Sheffield earlier this year, and allows patients over 75 who have severe heart valve disease to have heart valves replaced without general anaesthetic.

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Severe aortic stenosis is a common condition that causes the heart valve to narrow and not fully open, restricting blood flow out of the heart.

Mr Wild agreed to participate in three separate research projects running at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals looking at different aspects of care of patients with severe aortic valve disease. This included the British Heart Foundation’s Protect TAVI trial, a UK-based trial aiming to reduce stroke risk during the TAVI procedure, the UK Hydra valve registry, which is assessing a new type of aortic valve for the first time in the UK, and the multinational EASY-As trial. The latter aims to change the way people living with severe aortic stenosis are treated by offering early intervention to those without symptoms.

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Interventional Cardiologist Dr Muhammad A. Rahman, of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.Interventional Cardiologist Dr Muhammad A. Rahman, of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Interventional Cardiologist Dr Muhammad A. Rahman, of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Speaking about the TAVI procedure, Mr WIld, whose aortic stenosis put him at high risk of heart failure despite initially causing him no symptoms, said: “I can see nothing but benefit in my case. I was a little anxious, but the treatment was first class. It was a tough procedure to go through, and I'm still taking it easy, but to go home on the same day, help free up a bed for the NHS and have the luxury of coming home to welcoming arms; I count my blessings."

He was admitted to the Northern General Hospital’s Chesterman Wing at 7.30am and discharged at about 6pm. The procedure started at around 10.30am and lasted for three hours.

TAVI is a relatively newer, less invasive heart valve replacement procedure which offers an alternative to elderly patients with aortic stenosis who cannot withstand traditional open-heart surgery. As well as the minimal access approach to the heart, Mr Wild, who lives in Sothall, also benefited from light sedation.

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Interventional Cardiologist Dr Muhammad A. Rahman, from the Trust, said: “Our focus was to exhibit the world-class research being done here in Sheffield and the streamlined light-touch TAVI procedure performed by our well-orchestrated specialist team of cardiologists, nurses, physiologists and radiographers which enabled our patient to go home on the very same day of his procedure after all the safety checks were complete. Christopher, who consented to the live broadcast, had an excellent result and it was fantastic to showcase the ongoing research in Sheffield and the UK to a wider international audience.”

Dr Rahman went on to talk about the benefits of research: “Evidence from the active research programme in our department will also help us to further care for people diagnosed with aortic stenosis with or without symptoms and minimise potential complications such as stroke during a major heart procedure. “Trials like the EASY-AS trial are important, too, as we know that without treatment, mortality from severe aortic stenosis is worse than some cancers and will help us determine the best time for TAVI to be offered to patients.”

The broadcast was live streamed from the hospital’s cath lab using laptop cameras and specialist audio-visual support.

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When asked if he would be happy to have his procedure broadcast to a live audience, Mr Wild said he was “all for it”.

“As well as making my life a bit easier, the live broadcast will help thousands of others and promote the benefits of the procedure,” he said.

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