NHS procedure to breathe new life into patients with chronic lung condition
A new NHS procedure is set to give patients with a chronic lung condition their “lives back”.
NHS England is funding balloon pulmonary angioplasties for patients who suffer from Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH). The disease affects the lungs by causing chronic blood clots to block blood flow in the arteries, raising pressure in the lungs and potentially causing heart failure and premature death.
The procedure, which uses tiny balloons to inflate and compress blockages in the blood vessels, will now be routinely available on the NHS. It involves cardiologists inserting a very fine wire into blood vessels. A four-millimetre balloon is then guided into position over the wire, where it is then inflated which pushes the blockage aside and restores blood flow to the lung tissue. Afterwards, the balloon is deflated and removed, and the process can be repeated several times during a single treatment session.
Patients with CTEPH can often not work due to needing to take oxygen all the time just to remain comfortable.
Certain people with the condition are not suitable for existing forms of surgery as the blood clots can be too difficult to reach.
One such patient was Elizabeth Irons, who benefitted from the new treatment after being rushed to hospital gasping for air after blood clots formed in her lungs.
She was given fresh hope when doctors at Cambridge’s Royal Papworth Hospital offered her the new treatment.
Speaking about the treatment, Irons said: “It’s been an amazing treatment. I was awake through the whole thing – I needed to hold my breath for the clinicians at certain points – but I never felt worried because I had such trust in the medical team.
“It’s a life-changing technique; I can do so much more than I could – I’ve been able to go on holidays and fly around the world to see all my sisters. My quality of life has improved enormously.
“I’m also able to be a lot more active with my toddler granddaughter. She was due to be born just as I fell ill – my biggest fear was that I wouldn’t be around to see her grow up.
“It’s wonderful news that NHS England is commissioning BPA at Royal Papworth Hospital so more people can get their lives back.”
James Palmer, medical director for specialised commissioning for NHS England, said:“Patients living with life changing conditions have to cope with really quite severe symptoms, where even small movements can leave people gasping for breath.
“As the NHS approaches its 70th anniversary, this intervention, available for patients across the country, is another fantastic example of the innovations the health service adopts each year to enable clinicians to deliver the best possible outcomes for their patients.”