The family of a 78-year-old man have thanked cardiologists at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust after a miniature heart pump was used to save his life – the first time the device has been successfully deployed in Yorkshire.
John Barrass, from Chesterfield, was admitted after a cardiac arrest left his heart dangerously weak. He required urgent surgery to unblock his arteries, but extensive calcification and severely impaired heart function meant his chances of surviving the procedure were estimated at less than 50%.
That calculation changed with the availability of the Impella heart pump, a temporary mechanical device that supports the heart during high-risk procedures. Fifteen of the pumps were recently funded by Sheffield Hospitals Charity, creating a new option for the region’s most critically ill cardiac patients.
Inserted into the left ventricle, the pump takes over much of the heart’s workload during surgery, maintaining blood flow to vital organs while the heart is under extreme stress.
“We didn’t know Dad was going to be the first to have one of the new pumps,” said his daughter, Kirsty Lowden.
“But his arteries were like calcium, so all the doctors reviewing his case agreed they would use the device if they needed to.”
During the operation, John’s blood pressure collapsed and he came within minutes of another cardiac arrest.
“His heart blood pressure went and his heart stopped, and the device had to kick in for about five minutes,” Kirsty said.
“So, without that, he wouldn’t be here now.”
The procedure was led by consultant cardiologist Dr Aetesam Rahman, who is heading Sheffield’s Impella programme, alongside a specialist team including Professor Paul Morris, Dr Arvin Krishnamurthy and Dr Jon Rosser.
“The pump was able to deliver an additional 3.5 litres of blood a minute,” Dr Rahman said, “bringing circulation close to normal levels during the procedure. This enabled us to carry out the intervention safely and in a controlled manner.”
John had four stents fitted and is now recovering well.
“Most patients undergoing coronary angioplasty or stenting will not need one of these devices,” Dr Rahman added.
“But for patients like John undergoing high-risk procedures, research shows these pumps increase survival by more than 70% up to six months after surgery. We are enormously grateful to Sheffield Hospitals Charity for enabling us to deliver this life-saving programme.”
Reflecting on the outcome, Kirsty said: “We’ve been joking that he’s a medical marvel now. Everyone at the Northern General Hospital was just amazing and explained everything to us. We’re really, really grateful: that device saved my dad’s life, no question.”
The charity-funded pumps are expected to benefit around one patient each month, including referrals from hospitals in Chesterfield, Doncaster and Barnsley. They will be used for patients in cardiogenic shock, those awaiting heart transplants, and others undergoing complex, high-risk cardiac procedures.
Recent research also suggests the device can shorten time spent in cardiac intensive care and improve longer-term recovery and quality of life – quietly reshaping what is possible for some of the NHS’s sickest heart patients.
