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LHSC patients first in Ontario to benefit from new pacemaker technology which promises to reduce risk of infection
[from the LHSC official press release, link below]London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) Cardiac Care Program is the first in Ontario to implant a leadless pacemaker, a tiny pacemaker without cardiac wires known as leads.
Dr. Jaimie Manlucu, heart rhythm cardiologist, LHSC, successfully implanted the Medtronic Micra™ Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) on February 1 using a minimally invasive technique through the groin.
“Leadless pacemakers are an alternative to traditional pacemakers for patients who are at high risk of infection due to other medical conditions, or do not have the veins needed for a conventional pacemaker,” she explains. “The first patient to receive a leadless pacemaker at LHSC was not a candidate for a conventional or surgical pacemaker, and has done very well with this alternative device.”
A leadless pacemaker is the size of a vitamin capsule and is able to deliver the same electrical impulses to keep the heart beating regularly as a traditional pacemaker, without the added generator or wires.
Read more from the official LHSC press release
More Milestones in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
2016
June: LHSC First in Canada to perform new approach for aortic valve implantation
(LONDON, Ontario) –The heart team at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is the first in Canada to perform a new surgical technique available to very select and complex patients whose arterial vessels are inaccessible due to calcified and narrowed arteries. The goal of the procedure is to restore normal blood flow through the heart and the rest of the body and reduce paravalvular leakage around the valve.
The transcaval approach was performed by Drs. Rodrigo Bagur, Michael Chu, Pantelis Diamantouros, Patrick Teefy, Dan Bainbridge, Luc Dubois and Bob Kiaii in March 2016.
The transcaval TAVI approach allows access to the diseased aortic valve through the femoral vein by creating a temporary passage from the veins to the aorta. The collapsed replacement valve is moved through the vein and inferior vena cava and then crossed over into the abdominal aorta where it is guided to the aortic valve. Contrast-enhanced CT scans are taken before the procedure to assess patient’s suitability for this procedure and help guide the surgeon’s path through the patient’s anatomy...
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
2015
February: LHSC heart team first in North America to implant third generation transcatheter aortic valve
(LONDON, Ontario) –The heart team at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is the first in North America to implant Medtronic’s Engager Valve in a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedure. The procedure was performed in February, less than one year after the team was the first in North America to implant another second generation TAVI device. Doug Cameron, 73, from Tilbury, Ontario, the first patient implanted with the device, underwent coronary artery bypass surgery five years ago, but was told at the time ‘it was likely another surgery for his valve would be needed.’
“Earlier this year I began feeling tired again, and it was becoming harder to breathe,” he recalls. LHSC cardiac physicians, Drs. Michael Chu, Bob Kiaii, Pantelis Diamantouros, Rodrigo Bagur, and Patrick Teefy, agreed TAVI would be the best treatment option and chose to use a new generation device that promises precise valve positioning.
“This new generation device has arms that are inserted into the sinuses of the native valve. Once inserted, the device sits precisely where the valve is supposed to be and is aligned with the individual anatomy of the patient,” says Dr. Diamantouros. The minimally invasive procedure restores normal blood flow through the heart and the rest of the body and reduces paravalvular leakage around the valve...
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
2014
December: Canadian first use of suture tightening device saves OR time while maintaining patient safety
(LONDON, Ontario) –London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) cardiac surgery program is the first in Canada to use a new suture fastening system during open heart surgery. During a heart valve operation, a ring or band is placed around the opening of the heart valve in order to repair a leaky valve.
Traditionally, surgeons suture the ring to the opening of the valve and then fasten the sutures by hand-tying a knot. Using the COR-KNOT System, the surgeon places the device over the suture, squeezes the device handle to crimp a titanium fastener, which securely holds the suture together, and gently tugs the suture to trim away excess suture tails. “The device allows us to save 45 to 60 minutes of operating room time,” says Dr. Bob Kiaii, cardiac surgeon, LHSC. Patients benefit from a shorter operation by spending less time under anaesthesia and, more significantly, less time under the control of the heart-lung machine with the heart stopped, which maintains the circulation of blood and oxygen to the body...
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
July: LHSC first in North America to implant new generation cardiac device
(LONDON, Ontario) - Almost 15 years after James Poulias underwent successful double bypass cardiac surgery at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), he returned on May 12 to LHSC to receive North America’s first ACURATE TA™ transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
2013
October: LHSC patient successfully receives a heart transplant following at home wait thanks to new device
only the second patient at LHSC to receive an internally implantable device that provided circulatory support and allowed her to leave hospital while continuing to wait for a donor heart. The device is called the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) developed by Thoratec Corporation. “The device increases blood circulation which allows patients to better participate in rehabilitation and enhance their nutritional status”,” says Dr. Dave Nagpal, LHSC cardiac surgeon. “Ultimately, they are stronger and better transplant candidates.” Four patients have now received an LVAD device at LHSC.
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
January: London Health Sciences Centre designated as Canada’s national training centre for robotic surgery
LONDON, Ontario –London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is proud to have been selected by Intuitive Surgical Inc. – manufacturer of the world’s most sophisticated and widely used surgical robot, the da Vinci Surgical System - as the exclusive training centre for robotic surgery in Canada. The training centre will be an integral component of LHSC’s innovative Canadian Surgical Technologies and Advanced Robotics (CSTAR) program, known for both its pioneering work in research and development of robotic surgical technologies and its expertise in delivering high quality simulation training for surgeons and other allied healthcare providers.
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
2012
September: LHSC cardiologists first in Canada to use pressure sensing catheter for atrial fibrillation ablation
LONDON, Ontario – LHSC cardiologists Dr. Lorne Gula and Dr. Jaimie Manlucu became the first in Canada to use a pressure sensing catheter to perform a pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation on August 22. “There is a sensor in the tip of the catheter that allows us to monitor the pressure we apply to the wall of the heart,” says Dr. Gula. “This feedback sensor helps us make effective permanent ablation lesions intended to eliminate atrial fibrillation.”
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
2011
December: New minimally invasive heart valve replacement procedure at London Health Sciences Centre
(LONDON, Ontario) – London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is the only centre in southwestern Ontario performing a new method of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, a procedure which enables surgeons to replace failing heart valves without the patient having to undergo major surgery.
Instead of breaking the patient’s sternum to gain access to the troubled aortic valve and performing open heart surgery, a tiny catheter is inserted into an artery or base of the heart to gain access to the heart and then replace the aortic valve.
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
February: Cardiac surgery world first - Pacemaker complication repaired using minimally invasive surgery
LONDON, Ontario - London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is proud to announce another world first. LHSC's cardiac surgery team successfully performed an emergency surgery to repair a hole in a patient’s heart caused by a pacemaker complication using the DaVinci robot.
On February 15, 2011, LHSC cardiac surgeon, Dr. Bob Kiaii received an emergency page. Patient Viola Addison had a hole in her heart that required immediate repair. The hole was caused by a pacemaker lead that had perforated the wall of her heart. Traditionally, this surgery is done via open chest surgery.
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
2010
November: Aortic valve bypass performed using a Correx Aortic Valve Bypass device
On November 3, 2010, LHSC’s cardiac surgery team led by Drs. Bob Kiaii and Linrui Guo successfully performed an aortic valve bypass using a Correx Aortic Valve Bypass device.
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
November: LHSC uses new technology to help patient become well enough for a heart transplant
LONDON, Ontario - London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) cardiac transplant team recently used a new and innovative device that will allow it to save more lives in a way that is safer and more comfortable for the patient than previously used devices. The Impella cardiac-assist device, described as the world’s smallest heart pump, helps the heart pump oxygenated blood to the body so that the patient can become stronger prior to heart transplantation.
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
2008
World’s First Robotically Assisted Intestinal Bypass Surgery for SMA Syndrome
(LONDON, Ontario) –London Health Sciences Centre is pleased to announce that the world’s first robotically-assisted intestinal bypass surgery for a patient with superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMA) syndrome, also known as Wilkie’s syndrome, was performed at the hospital on July 30, 2008
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
2000-2005
2005, Oct: First Canadian to undergo minimally invasive robotically assisted double bypass surgery
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
2005, May: Another World's first at CSTAR - Surgical robot helps to reduce stroke in common cardiac disorder
Read More from the LHSC Press Release
2003, Nov: New robot and tools to revolutionize cardiac bypass surgery Canadian first at London Health Sciences Centre
