I am known as a fast operator, but to be able to perform 3 PFO closures before 10 am requires an exceptional team with me.
We have to:
1. Pre- assess the patient
2. Prepare the patient on the day
3. Get the patient into theatre
4. My bit- do the procedure slickly
5. Get the patient out of theatre
6. Recover the patient and get them home safely
We started at 8.15- 15 minutes behind schedule- but finished at 10.00.
Well done to the team.
Case 1:
Tricky PFO to cross and the tunnel was very tight.
Case 2:
Standard PFO
Case 3:
Very large PFO- I used a large device, that looked too big, and so swapped to the 2 sizes lower – a perfect result
So you could say I did 4 cases, as used 4 devices! This mix of cases does tell you that you need experience to manage even “simple” procedures such as PFO closure.
My thanks to my exceptional team.
Article by Dr Malik, a leading UK cardiologist. He works at One Welbeck Heart Health – London’s Largest Private Cardiology Group, and at Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, one of the largest NHS Trusts in the UK.
