Heart transplants have been suspended at a leading hospital after an internal audit revealed an increase in the early deaths of patients.
Heart transplants have been suspended at a leading hospital after an internal audit revealed an increase in the early deaths of patients.
Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire informed the Department of Health immediately after the findings.
Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire informed the Department of Health immediately after the findings.
It was then advised to suspend heart transplants and carry out a review, which is likely to last two weeks.
It was then advised to suspend heart transplants and carry out a review, which is likely to last two weeks.
This year, seven of the 20 adult heart transplant patients have died within 30 days, the hospital said.
This year, seven of the 20 adult heart transplant patients have died within 30 days, the hospital said.
Stephen Bridge, chief executive of the hospital, said: "It's expected 10% of heart transplant patients die within 30 days. We've normally been around 7%, so below the national average.
Stephen Bridge, chief executive of the hospital, said: "It's expected 10% of heart transplant patients die within 30 days. We've normally been around 7%, so below the national average.
"We are talking comparatively small numbers but it was agreed it would be sensible for us to invite the Healthcare Commission to undertake an external review.
"We are talking comparatively small numbers but it was agreed it would be sensible for us to invite the Healthcare Commission to undertake an external review.
"If there are any improvements, we will implement them."
"If there are any improvements, we will implement them."
Patients informed
Patients informed
Mr Bridge said his hospital was one of five in the UK where heart transplants were carried out.
Mr Bridge said his hospital was one of five in the UK where heart transplants were carried out.
A hospital statement said: "Should an urgent case arise, clinicians in Papworth will discuss with the external advisors involved in the review how to manage the patients.
A hospital statement said: "Should an urgent case arise, clinicians in Papworth will discuss with the external advisors involved in the review how to manage the patients.
"Heart transplants are inherently high-risk, complex procedures performed on a relatively small number of patients and the number of operations likely to be affected is therefore small."
"Heart transplants are inherently high-risk, complex procedures performed on a relatively small number of patients and the number of operations likely to be affected is therefore small."
The hospital is asking patients or relatives with concerns to call 01480 830541.
The hospital is asking patients or relatives with concerns to call 01480 830541.
Patients on waiting lists and others affected directly by the review have been informed.
Patients on waiting lists and others affected directly by the review have been informed.
It is believed more than 1,500 heart transplants have been carried out at the hospital since the first in 1979.
It is believed more than 1,500 heart transplants have been carried out at the hospital since the first in 1979.
Last year surgeons at Papworth performed the UK's first "beating heart" transplant where the organ was kept supplied with blood until it was inserted into the patient.
Last year surgeons at Papworth performed the UK's first "beating heart" transplant where the organ was kept supplied with blood until it was inserted into the patient.
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