Mr Morris and his wife

Mr Morris and his wife

Friday 17th January 2020

Hull University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust had its first year of administrating TAVI to patients in the region of Hull and East Yorkshire. Mr David Morris, 86, received the first TAVI in March of 2019 under Dr Raj Chelliah, Consultant Cardiologist, and his team.

Heart Valve Voice is congratulating the TAVI team at Hull University Teaching NHS Hospital on their first year of TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation)procedures. In previous years, patients with heart valve disease were referred to Leeds General Infirmary or Sheffield Teaching Hospital. However, in most cases, as was in Mr Morris’s situation, the expense of travel, cost and time involved not only effected his life but the life of his wife and his ability to care for her.

Heart valve disease currently effects over 1.5 million people over 65 in the UK. This number is set to double to 3.3 million by 2056. With regions like East Riding, North Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire having a higher elderly population than the national average, they are likely to encounter a higher than average number of patients presenting with heart valve disease.

TAVI is a minimal invasive surgical technique usually performed on elderly patients or patients with co-morbidity. The catheterisation procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours, and patients are up and walking within 24 - 48 hours of their procedure. The typical hospital stay is 3 to 5 days. With hospital stays shorter and recovery times quicker, TAVI offers a more suitable pathway for patients with caring responsibilities, such as Mr Morris.

Mr Morris was able to receive his treatment closer to home, with a shorter hospital stay, less risk of infection and a faster route to an increased quality of life. Receiving his TAVI meant he was able to return home to care for his wife quicker than if he had received traditional open-heart surgery.

This treatment option is integral for optimisation of patient experience. Mr Morris’s pathway was the most suitable for his needs, giving him increased comfort in his treatment and confidence in the outcome.

“After observing more elderly patients being referred with heart valve disease in the last decade, Hull University Teaching NHS Hospital NHS Trust, the cardiology team and myself worked together to provide services for patients in their local hospital. We were commissioned in 2018 to provide TAVI and after a successful first year, we hope to have more resources to enable more patients to receive the best treatment centred on their needs”. Dr Raj Chelliah, Consultant Cardiologist.

Heart Valve Voice commends Dr Raj Chelliah, his team and Hull University Hospital on providing better access to treatment that suits the patients’ situation, enabling more patients to get the right treatment at the right time.