New heart pumps help the sickest patients
Heart patients who are having difficulty pumping blood around their body are benefitting from nine new cardiac balloon pumps worth over £400,000.
The machines have just come into use at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre (CTC) at Basildon Hospital, part of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, and are already making a big difference to the lives of patients.
Ben Middleton, head of clinical perfusion science at the CTC, explained how the intra-aortic balloon pumps work. “This machine helps synchronise the heart’s rhythm by inserting the balloon into the aorta, the biggest artery in the body. It is inflated and deflated in time with the heart, helping squeeze blood into the coronary arteries.
“It’s been fantastic to have these new machines in our cardiac centre, and they have already been used to help poorly patients. Upgrading these machines is great news for our patients, because it allows our dedicated staff to continue to deliver the best care and cutting-edge support to them.”
The pumps were bought with money from a fund for upgrading Trust equipment and facilities.