Pumping Marvellous

A grandfather  has become the first person in the world to be fitted with a miniature version  of a life-saving heart pump at Wythenshawe Hospital, South of Manchester.

English: Wythenshawe Hospital (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Doctors at Wythenshawe Hospital had already  tried corrective surgery – but his condition continued to worsen. Barry was  considered too ill to undergo a heart transplant.Barry was offered a lifeline in the form of  a revolutionary heart pump, called Heartmate2. The Heartmate 2 circulates blood around the body.

Wythenshawe Hospital is one of only 12  centres to trial the device, which was developed in the US. Mr Wade is the first person anywhere in the  world to get a special miniaturised version, which is less intrusive and more  sophisticated. The Titanium pump – which weighs just 12 ounces – rotates nine  times faster than an electric drill.

The grandfather-of-five has responded well and is due to go home to where he lives in Macclesfield, Cheshire. Barry has said: ‘It’s been a tough eight years but I  hope all that is behind me now. I have a new chance of life and I am looking  forward to the birth of my new grandson next month. I feel very privileged to  have been chosen to pioneer this remarkable device.’

Dr Steve Shaw who is a consultant cardiologist at  Wythenshawe Hospital North Cardiac Centre worked with a team of doctors and nurses to fit the pump -  a smaller and more sophisticated version of an earlier model.

Dr Shaw said ’The refined features of the  Heartmate2 include computer technology which will allow Barry to read out power  consumption and blood flow if he is feeling unwell to alert doctors. There is also a built-in back-up battery in  case he accidentally disconnects the power.”

Dr Steve Shaw, consultant cardiologist at  Wythenshawe Hospital, worked with a team of doctors and nurses to fit the pump -  a smaller and more sophisticated version of an earlier model.

He said: ‘The refined features of the  Heartmate2 include computer technology which will allow Barry to read out power  consumption and blood flow if he is feeling unwell to alert doctors.

‘There is also a built-in back-up battery in  case he accidentally disconnects the power.’

Prof Nizar Yonan, director of transplant at  Wythenshawe Hospital, said the Heartmate 2 could be used to support patients  while they wait for a donor heart or, as in Barry’s case, as a permanent  option.

He said: ‘We are keeping Barry in hospital  for a couple of days for observation and tests, but we are really pleased with  his progress.’

First Aid is such an important part of everyday life and you never know when you will need it. Pumping Marvellous has teamed up with the British Red Cross to offer Heart Failure patients and their carers free to attend dedicated First Aid workshop days in Burnley. If you would like to book then please contact Pumping Marvellous via heart@pumpingmarvellous.org

Would you know how to help in an emergency? The British Red Cross website has videos so you can learn what to do in numerous first aid situations.

You will find a series of videos being posted on the site over the next couple of days which demonstrate simple first aid in difference situations. We hope you find this useful and we will being telling people of the days shortly so keep a look out. Remember it is free for Heart Failure patients and carers through Pumping Marvellous.