A nurse with an irregular heart rhythm has said her life has been transformed after undergoing a new form of heart surgery.<\/p>\n
Judy Lloyd, 63, was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) seven years ago which left her too fatigued and weak to carry out her everyday activities.<\/p>\n
“I started getting very tired and would have to stop the car on my way back from meetings to rest. I had very little energy,” the ear, nose and throat nurse from Oswestry recalled.<\/p>\n
In an attempt to treat the condition, she underwent an all box clamping (ABC) procedure, a minimally invasive operation, at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton.<\/p>\n
“I used to love playing tennis but had to stop as I was really struggling to play,” she said.<\/p>\n
“There were also several times when I could feel my heart fluttering, which felt like someone was banging on my chest from the inside. I was even struggling to pull an empty wheelie bin back on to my drive. I had to pace myself.”<\/p>\n
Atrial fibrillation is estimated to affect more than 30 million people worldwide, according to the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.<\/p>\n
Symptoms include palpitations, dizziness, fatigue and chest pain. Major risks include stroke and heart failure, often caused by high blood pressure, heart disease or ageing.<\/p>\n
The new keyhole surgical procedure does not require the heart to be stopped and aims to remove tissue from the back of the heart using special clamps.<\/p>\n
‘Completely transformed’<\/p>\n
“At the same time, a clip device (AtriClip) is applied to close off the left atrial appendage. This not only helps restore normal rhythm but also reduces the risk of AF\u2011associated stroke by 33%,” explained consultant cardiac surgeon Nicolas Nikolaidis.<\/p>\n
He added: “Recovery time is very quick, and the majority of patients go home the next day.”<\/p>\n
The procedure was first introduced at the hospital in June last year, and so far 16 patients have been treated with it.<\/p>\n
Lloyd said: “I feel so much better now. I am working three days a week with a heavy workload, and I am playing tennis again in the Cheshire League. I have even started pickleball.<\/p>\n
“It has completely transformed my life. I hardly have to take any medication any more, and I have so much more energy.”<\/p>\n
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