The Appeal
Abnormal, rapid heart rhythms (including Atrial Fibrillation) are a common cause of symptoms such as palpitation and blackouts.
They can be very unpleasant, often requiring A&E admission and long-term medication. Recently, special techniques (Electrophysiology or EP) have been developed to identify the short circuits within the heart responsible for these abnormal rhythms and to permanently ablate (abolish) them.
The Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital trust has invested £3.1 million in a state-of-the-art third angiography suite for angioplasty and pacemakers that could also be used for EP and Ablation
Sparks 4 Hearts has been launched by The Norfolk Heart Trust to raise the £400,000 required to purchase the equipment necessary for NNUH to start to offer this treatment to patients locally,rather than have them travel to Papworth Hospital over 70 miles away.
Background
Our heartbeats are caused by electrical impulses initiated by the heart's natural pacemaker (the sinus node) and transmitted through a system of specialised conducting fibres to all parts of the heart muscle. Our hearts automatically speed up and slow down according to our bodies' needs.
However some people are aware of their hearts suddenly going very fast – not associated with exercise or emotion. This is often due to a short circuit in the electrical pathways. It may just make an individual aware of palpitation or feel breathless, dizzy and lightheaded but sometimes it even leads to loss of consciousness (syncope).
These palpitations can be very unpleasant for people (and, rarely, life threatening) – often requiring attendance at A&E for urgent treatment. Tablets are often required for treatment but increasingly it is possible to do an electrical wiring diagram from inside the heart (electrophysiology or EP) and find the short circuit. Once found, the problem area can be safely ablated – usually with a high energy catheter or alternatively with a very cold (-70°) tipped catheter.
The common rhythm problems that can be diagnosed and treated by EP and ablation include:
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)
The abnormal impulse arises above the ventricles (pumping chambers), hence the name. This can affect all age groups and can be treated by tablets. EP and ablation however often cures the condition, making life long medication unnecessary.
Atrial fibrillation (AF)
Instead of an orderly initiation of a heartbeat from one site – the natural pacemaker- multiple areas fire together, creating a rapid irregular heart rhythm. This disturbance can affect 30% of the population and is common in the elderly, often resulting in clot formation within the heart chambers. Pieces of these clots can break off into the blood stream causing strokes or blocking a major limb artery. AF ablation, although not suitable for all patients, can abolish the rhythm disturbance in about 60% of sufferers.
Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
This problem can be life threatening, but the site of the abnormal electrical activity in the ventricular muscle can be targeted by ablation.
The Norfolk Heart Trust Appeal
The Norfolk Heart Trust has launched this appeal to raise £400,000 to purchase the EP and ablation equipment and has already pledged £100,000 to get things started.
The Geoffrey Watling Charity has donated £50,000 (they also very generously gave £200,000 to the Balloons4Heart appeal some years ago) following an application for funding by Dr Leisa Freeman, Clinical Director Cardiology NNUH.
Ballons4Hearts under the charity umbrella of NHT raised £1million so that PCI (angioplasty and stenting) could occur at NNUH. Primary treatment of heart attacks (PPCI) is now similarly managed thanks to this magnificent effort. There are a number of fund raising activities planned by members of the department.
Dr Liam Hughes, consultant cardiologist and intrepid North Sea and Atlantic rower has pledged to cycle from Holland where the ECG was first described, row cross the Channel, and cycle to Norwich via St. Bartholomews Hospital, famous for its work on the electrical supply of the heart from the 19th century up to the present day.