Routine heart transplants have been suspended at a leading hospital after a rise 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 Cambridgeshire's Papworth Hospital - or 35% - have died within 30 days of their operation.
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 hospital says the UK average death rate is 10% and its normal rate is 7%.
The hospital says the UK average death rate is 10% and its normal rate is 7%.
The Department of Health has advised suspending operations pending a review. Lung transplants 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. "We've normally been around 7%, so below the national average.
Quick response
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 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.
He said they were talking about "comparatively small numbers" but it was agreed the Healthcare Commission should undertake an external review to see if there are improvements that can be made.
"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," said Mr Bridge.
"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."
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."
The review, which will last two weeks, will look at the individual case notes of those who died after a heart transplant to check the quality of care and to see if there are any common factors.
The spokesman could not give a figure on how many patients were affected by the suspension of surgery over the two-week review.
It will also look at how care is provided from the patient's first contact with the trust to post-operative care and will ensure the transplant service is linked "appropriately" to the rest of the organisation.
There will also be a review of the action already taken by the trust to identify possible causes for the rise in the heart transplant death rate.
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 and watched by 250 people at the Wellcome Collection in London 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.
The 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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