Heart transplants have been suspended at a leading hospital after an internal audit revealed an increase in the early deaths of patients.
Routine 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 its 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 would like to reassure everyone this review applies to routine heart transplantation only Stephen Bridge
"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.
"The Department of Health has responded to this very quickly by sending in a team of independent experts to help us review our heart transplant service.
"The review is being conducted to help us identify what, if any, action needs to be taken.
"We would like to reassure everyone this review applies to routine heart transplantation only. Lung transplantation and all of our other work continues as normal and we expect the review to be completed within two weeks."
Patients informed
Patients informed
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."
The hospital is asking patients or relatives with concerns to call 01480 830541.
The spokesman could not give a figure on how many patients were affected by the suspension of surgery over the two week review.
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.
A heart valve reconstruction operation televised live from Papworth Hospital went ahead as planned on Thursday night.
About 250 members of the public gathered at the Wellcome Collection in London to watch the procedure via satellite.
Papworth Hospital carried out the first ever live broadcast of open heart surgery in Britain in July.
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.
The hospital is asking patients or relatives with concerns to call 01480 830541.
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