A crystal-studded ‘wand’ inserted into the heart could revolutionise treatment of a disorder that puts more than a million Britons at increased risk of a stroke.
The device maps the inside of the heart and detects ‘hot spots’ where cardiac cells are generating faulty electrical signals. It is these signals that cause the life-changing disorder atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition of an irregular heart rhythm that leads to dizziness, shortness of breath and fatigue.
Worse still, as the heart is not beating properly, blood pools and clots can form inside its main pumping chamber. If a tiny clot escapes, it can travel to the brain and block the blood supply, causing a potentially deadly stroke.
More than 30,000 strokes a year in the UK are linked to AF – an average of one every 15 minutes. It is routinely treated by zapping the inside of the heart with a heated probe, a technique known as radiofrequency ablation, to destroy the cells.
A diagram shows how the wand is fed to the heart and how the crystals emit soundwaves
The wand (pictured above) is complete with an electrode hook (top left) and crystals
But ablation currently works in only half of cases because doctors are still not exactly sure where in the atria – the upper two chambers of the heart – the harmful electrical signals come from. As a result, they tend to always treat one area, where the heart connects with veins linked to the lungs, as studies suggest this is the most likely origin of abnormal electrical activity.
But the new wand allows them to identify the precise location of the fault first and then treat it, dramatically increasing the chances of ablation being successful in more patients. The 48 crystals generate sound waves that produce a 3D image of the inside of the heart, in much the same way as an ultrasound check in pregnancy gives an image of a baby in the womb.
At the same time, the wand also has 48 electrodes that pick up readings on electrical activity in the heart.
By combining the image with the location of the faulty signals, doctors can precisely map the areas they need to treat, rather than take a chance and risk cauterising healthy cardiac tissue.
Leading cardiologists are convinced the technology could transform the success of AF treatment.
‘We can now get 3D real-time images of what’s going on in the heart and this is a tremendous advance,’ says Dr Andrew Grace, a consultant cardiologist at the Royal Papworth Hospital, who led recent trials on the device, called the AcQ Map. ‘This will allow patients to receive a more tailored procedure to cure their irregular heart rhythm.’
The AcQ Map system is being studied as part of a European trial involving London’s Royal Brompton (above) as well as others
AF is the most common heart-rhythm condition, with about 900,000 people in the UK currently being treated for it. But some experts believe a further 400,000 may not realise they too have it, as they have no obvious symptoms.
It develops when electrical impulses in the heart are fired chaotically by tissue in the organ’s upper chambers, overriding the heart’s natural pacemaker. The precise cause is unknown, although a genetic predisposition, high blood pressure, chest infections, an overactive thyroid and too much alcohol are possible triggers.
Although it is most likely to affect people aged over 60, it can also strike much younger people, including athletes who put added stress on their heart.
Treatments include blood-thinning drugs and tablets to control the rate and rhythm of the heart.
New systems are being tested out at a number of hospitals, including the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle (above)
Under the new treatment, the wand is inserted into a vein in the groin and directed towards the inside of the heart. The tip of the wand, which is connected at one end to a computer terminal, is shaped like a Christmas tree bauble and lined with quartz crystals. These have been used for years in ultrasound technology because when they are exposed to an electric current, they change shape and can emit and receive soundwaves. Over two hours, the crystals transmit a constant flow of sound waves that bounce off surrounding cardiac tissue, helping to build up an image of the heart. Electrodes also monitor electrical activity.
Make your own: Travel throat spray
Aa the weather hots up across Europe, many of us will be jetting off to bask in the sunshine – but flying can take its toll. Germs are often rife on board holiday aircraft, so I’ve come up with a home-made bug-fighting throat spray, small enough to carry on board. The herbs and oils are believed to be natural antiseptics.
The ingredients used to make your own throat spray
INGREDIENTS
1 stick of lemongrass
1 sprig of rosemary
1 drop of peppermint essential oil
1 drop of clove oil
DIRECTIONS
Chop the lemongrass and rosemary into small pieces and infuse in a cup of hot water to make a tea.
Once the liquid has cooled, strain and add the oils.
Decant into a 100ml atomiser (available to buy in pharmacies).
Spray the back of the throat three or four times up to four times a day.
The AcQ Map system is being studied as part of a European trial involving Oxford University Hospitals, the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and London’s Royal Brompton.
John Nevins, 50, from Cressing, Essex, was one of the first to benefit from the procedure. The telecoms executive developed breathlessness and heart flutters in 2015. ‘I was in my late 40s at the time and still playing Sunday league football,’ says John. ‘I did not have high blood pressure or diabetes – I counted myself as very fit. But I started to get out of breath running during a match or even going upstairs.’
The father of four only sought help when symptoms persisted for several months. He was diagnosed with AF, and when Dr Grace suggested he join the trial, John jumped at the chance.
Since having treatment in October 2015, John’s heart has been beating normally.
He says: ‘I’ve given up playing football but I no longer have any symptoms of breathlessness and fatigue. It’s such a huge relief.
‘I might have been able to control it by taking drugs to regulate my heart rhythm but I would still run the risk of a stroke. This way I know that my heart is in normal rhythm and I have no worries at all. I just hope more patients can benefit in the way I’ve done.’
YES please
Malin + Goetz Sulfur Paste
This blend of salicylic acid and sulphur dioxide dries out the angry red spots and blemishes that occur with adult acne. A helping of zinc oxide promotes healing and reduces the risk of scarring.
£19, spacenk.com
