New life saving Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy now available at Mater Private Hospital Cork for Heart Failure patients

2nd November 2015

~ Wires inserted into heart to synchronise heartbeat ~

~ “I could barely walk I was so out of breath but now I’m walking uphill “– Cal O’ Keeffe, from Ballyhooly, Co Cork ~

Mater Private Hospital Cork, the 75 bed hospital at City Gate Mahon, with its own state-of-the-art Heart & Vascular Centre, is the latest hospital in Ireland to embrace Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT), which is a life-saving treatment for heart failure patients.

The CRT technology is underutilized in Ireland in comparison to other developed countries, as only cardiologists with specific training in the heart rhythm or the electricity of the heart can perform the procedure.

One patient who has already benefited from this treatment at Mater Private Hospital Cork is Cal O’Keeffe. Mr O Keefe was an active man in his late seventies, who started experiencing breathlessness. At first he put it down to just getting older, but when his symptoms worsened, he went to see his GP. A referral was made to Dr Pauriah, Consultant Cardiologist with the Mater Private Hospital in Cork.

After an ECG (electrocardiogram) and heart scan, Cal O’Keeffe was subsequently diagnosed with heart failure. While this sounds incredibly daunting, with advances in the last two decades in terms of medication, and cardiac devices, the results can be dramatic with full recovery of the heart function in some patients.

O Keeffe credits Dr. Pauriah with saving his life – “My energy levels had decreased dramatically. I could not lie flat in bed, my legs were swollen, and I was so short of breath that I could hardly walk. I met with Dr. Pauriah after a referral from my GP, and I can honestly say he saved my life.”

After being treated with medications, O’Keeffe underwent a life-changing procedure called Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT -a three lead ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator), a type of pacemaker that co-ordinates the electrical activity, synchronising his heartbeat, and improving the pumping ability of the heart, while protecting against sudden death as a result of cardiac rhythm disturbances. This was done under local anesthetic and he was discharged the following day.

“My heart got better and better and I now enjoy a near normal life, walking uphill without much of a problem.”

Dr. Pauriah leads the way with this type of treatment in Cork. “20 years ago the outlook from this condition was very poor but with advances in cardiology over the last number of years, heart failure has now become a very treatable condition. I am delighted to have the opportunity to introduce CRT to patients in Cork and Munster at a hospital that continues to lead the way in innovation.”

Dr. Pauriah believes CRT is underutilized in Ireland in comparison to other developed countries, as only cardiologists with specific training in the heart rhythm or the electricity of the heart can perform the procedure. “Roughly 1 in 1,000 people in Ireland develop heart failure each year, and 1 in 3 patients with heart failure will benefit from CRT therapy.”

Heart failure itself is a conditionwhere the muscles are damaged and therefore weaker than normal, so the heart cannot pump enough oxygen and nutrients to meet the body’s needs. This could be due to a number of reasons including narrowing of the arteries, problems with the heart valves or weakening of the muscles.

Mater Private Hospital Cork advise that you should see your doctor if you think you might be experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms: fatigue or weakness, decrease in exercise tolerance, swelling in your legs, ankles and feet, abdominal swelling, inability to lie flat during sleep,waking up at night gasping for breath, rapid or irregular heartbeat, coughing or wheezing, sudden weight gain from fluid retention, lack of appetite and nausea, difficulty concentrating, and dizziness.

You should seek emergency treatment if you experience chest pain, fainting or severe weakness, rapid or irregular heartbeat associated with shortness of breath, or if you are coughing up pink, foamy mucus.

The Heart and Vascular Centre at the Mater Private Hospital Cork represents the latest and most modern invasive and non-invasive cardiac facility in Munster. CRT is just one of the key services provided at this new state-of-the-art hospital.

Patients who are interested in learning more about this procedure should talk to their GP. You can also find more information by visiting www.atrialfibrillation.ie.

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