Suffering with a dangerous, irregular heartbeat could soon be a thing of the past thanks to a grape-sized balloon that resets the organ’s electrical activity in seconds.
The operation is set to be introduced in heart clinics across the country following widespread approval by NHS health chiefs, with specialists describing it as the ‘next frontier’ of heart treatment.
Roughly 1.4 million Britons suffer with an irregular heartbeat – or atrial fibrillation, as it is medically known – which happens when the nerves in the heart misfire.
It can cause blood to pool and clot inside the heart. This can lead to a life-threatening stroke or debilitating symptoms like dizziness, palpitations, shortness of breath, tiredness, and dizziness.
The new radiofrequency treatment is called radiofrequency balloon ablation. A balloon with ten electrodes is inserted into an artery in the groin, and then threaded up to pulmonary veins. – which carry oxygenated blood to the heart and where damaged nerves are usually found.
During the new treatment, called radiofrequency balloon ablation, a balloon fitted with ten electrodes is inserted through an artery in the groin and threaded up to the pulmonary veins
WEIRD SCIENCE
The Black Death is still a deadly killer
Although it may seem like a disease from Dark Ages to some, approximately 3,000 people get bubonic plaque each year.
The infection, a bacterium known as Yersinia Pestis, is most commonly found in mammals and their fleas. It was also known as the Black Death.
Bubonic plague, which claimed 40-60% of the British population, was the worst global pandemic in human history.
Although it is rare to see an outbreak of this magnitude, it is still common, mainly in Africa. Symptoms include fever and headaches, as well as chills and swelling of lymph nodes.
It can however be treated with antibiotics.
Monitoring the heart’s electrical signals in real time using a sensor in the balloon, surgeons inflate it and fire up the electrodes to deliver precise bursts of extreme heat which forms scar tissue and blocks abnormal pulses. This technique can regulate your heartbeat in just ten seconds.
The surgery is performed under local sedation and leaves healthy tissue intact in the heart. This means that patients experience fewer complications. Dr Malcolm Finlay, consultant cardiologist at Barts Heart Centre in London, said: ‘This is the next frontier of heart treatment. This technique is extremely fast and precise. This means patients are recovering quicker and can be in and out of hospital in less than a day.’
Atrial fibrillation is more common for people with cardiac issues. This is due to the extra strain on the organ. Doctors are often unable to explain why atrial fibrillation occurs in so many cases.
A number of drugs can help, including beta-blockers to slow the heart’s pulse and blood-thinners to reduce the risk of stroke, but these are not a cure and the majority of sufferers will need surgery.
Two surgical procedures have been offered on the NHS up to now. The first, cryoablation uses extremely cold gas to damage and scar pulmonary vessels. This is also done with a balloon. The balloon is cooled to minus 40C, then inflated at each of the four pulmonary vessels.
The scar tissue blocks abnormal electrical signals and maintains a normal heartbeat. In about a third of cases, however, the balloon fails adequately to scare damaged, hard-to-reach nerves. ‘Patients often require more than one procedure to make sure we’ve attacked every bit of the area that requires attention,’ explained Dr Finlay.
Radiofrequency catheter ablation is a technique surgeons have been using in recent years. To form scar tissue, this procedure uses a hot probe to burn the damaged vein with a ring. The procedure can take up three hours and may require general anaesthesia.
Roughly 1.4 million Britons suffer with an irregular heartbeat – or atrial fibrillation, as it is medically known – which happens when the nerves in the heart misfire (file photo)
Radiofrequency balloon ablation is a combination between these two methods.
Ian Butterss is a retired engineer, aged 68, from London. He was one of the first people to receive the new technique. He started experiencing heart palpitations a decade back, which became more severe over time.
He said: ‘By the time I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation in 2019, I had palpitations for half the time I was awake.
‘Sometimes the episodes would last for days. It felt like I was constantly going over the top of a rollercoaster – my heart jumps and it feels really uncomfortable.’
Following Ian’s diagnosis, a cardiologist prescribed blood-thinners and beta-blockers, but the palpitations continued. He had a radiofrequency balloon ablation performed at Barts Health NHS Trust in London earlier this month.
He said: ‘I went in for the operation at 9am and was out of the hospital by 3pm. It was very intense, and it was the strangest feeling. It was a relief for it to be finished so quickly.’
Ian keeps track on the frequency of his palpitations. He now experiences them 15% of the times, as opposed 50 percent.
He added: ‘And that’s only two weeks after the operation – the doctors said things will improve even more as time goes on.’