Routine heart transplants have been suspended at a leading hospital after an increase in the early deaths of patients.
Routine heart transplants have been suspended at a leading hospital after a rise in the early deaths of patients.
This year seven of the 20 adult heart transplant patients at Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire have died within 30 days.
This year seven of the 20 adult heart transplant patients at Cambridgeshire's Papworth Hospital - or 35% - have died within 30 days of their operation.
The Department of Health advised suspending operations pending a review.
The hospital says the UK average death rate is 10% and its normal rate is 7%.
Lung transplantation work and other operations are being carried out as normal.
The Department of Health has advised suspending operations pending a review. Lung transplants and other operations are being carried out as normal.
Stephen Bridge, the hospital's chief executive, said: "It's expected 10% of heart transplant patients die within 30 days.
Stephen Bridge, the hospital's chief executive, 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'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 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 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.
"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.
"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."
"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
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."
"Heart transplants are inherently high-risk, complex procedures performed on a relatively small number of patients."
The spokesman could not give a figure on how many patients were affected by the suspension of surgery over the two-week review.
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.
A heart valve reconstruction operation televised live from Papworth Hospital went ahead as planned on Thursday night.
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.
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.
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.
The hospital is asking patients or relatives with concerns to call 01480 830541.
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