At Spire Southampton Hospital we have specialists with an interest in the treatment of patients who suffer with, or who are at risk of, cardiac arrhythmias, with expertise in:
- abnormal heart rhythms
- palpitations
- syncope, collapse and dizziness
- use of pacemakers, defibrillators and other implanted devices to improve heart function (for example in patients with heart failure)
- catheter ablation
- prevention of sudden cardiac death
Our consulting rooms and dedicated suite for cardiac investigations include state of the art echocardiography (cardiac ultrasound), ambulatory monitoring (ECG and blood pressure) and exercise testing. There are comprehensive facilities for the follow up of pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronisation (CRT) devices. We have a newly refurbished electrophysiology suite where all procedures can be performed.
A new procedure is now available at Spire Southampton Hospital where a device is permanently implanted in the left atrial appendage through a vein in your leg. The device is a sophisticated umbrella that blocks off the left atrial appendage and aims to prevent any clots from causing stroke. After surgery you will require an overnight stay and approximately a 24-hour recovery. You will need a few weeks treatment with warfarin but after an ultrasound scan warfarin can then usually be stopped.
This may be a suitable procedure if you suffer from atrial fibrillation, a condition causing the upper chambers of the heart to beat too fast. This means you may be more susceptible to blood clots forming in the left atrial appendage, a thumb size pouch on the top of your heart, which can increase your chances of having a stroke or other related problems. Atrial fibrillation is very common. If you are over the age of 40 your lifetime risk of having it is 1 in 4 for males and 1 in 5 for females.
Blood thinning medication, such as warfarin, reduces the risk of stroke but requires careful monitoring with regular blood tests. Diet and certain medications can affect warfarin and if it is not monitored carefully patients can be at risk of serious bleeding.