An amazing £75,000 donation from Heart Link has funded a new cryoablation console for the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre (EMCHC).
The equipment will help the paediatric electrophysiology team at the EMCHC to treat selected children and young people with abnormal heart rhythms – including supraventricular tachycardia, also known as SVT.
SVT is a condition where the heart suddenly beats much faster than normal. This can cause palpitations, dizziness, chest discomfort, breathlessness, fainting, or repeated trips to hospital. Some children need a procedure called catheter ablation to treat the small area of heart tissue which is causing the fast rhythm.
Cryoablation is a special type of catheter ablation. Instead of using heat, it uses freezing energy. This can be helpful when the abnormal rhythm pathway is close to the heart’s normal electrical system, where extra care is needed.
The introduction of cryoablation at the EMCHC means selected children can now access this specialist treatment closer to home. This enhances patient experience by reducing travel and supporting a simpler, safer and more effective care pathway.
Consultant Paediatric Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, Dr Haris Kotidis, said: “This is an important development for our paediatric arrhythmia service. Cryoablation gives us another treatment option when an abnormal rhythm pathway is close to the heart’s normal electrical system.
“In the past, some children needed to have their procedure stopped in Leicester and repeated in Birmingham. This was stressful for children and families, and added pressure to both hospital services.
“Thanks to Heart Link, more children will now be able to have their treatment safely in Leicester. We are extremely grateful for their support, which will make a real difference to children, families and to our clinical team.”
Heart Link has supported children with heart conditions and their families since 1981. The charity has raised millions of pounds to improve care and facilities for young patients at UHL.
Graeme Williams, Vice Chair and Trustee of Heart Link, said: “We are proud and excited to have been able to fund the cryoablation equipment, making this specialist treatment available to children at the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre.
“Investing £75,000 to bring cryoablation to Leicester was never in doubt. Now, selected children can be treated here, reducing the need for referral to other hospitals and giving a much-improved experience for young heart patients and their families when they need it most.”