A WORCESTERSHIRE man’s life has been saved after doctors at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital performed a complex surgery for the first time in the centre’s history.
After all other medical treatments for pulmonary embolism – a life-threatening condition when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in your lungs – were unsuccessful, Dr Rahul Chivate performed a complex blood clot removal.
The procedure, known as a mechanical pulmonary thrombectomy – is only required in very rare and serious cases of pulmonary embolism which do not respond to usual treatments.
Such procedures are usually only carried out at a few major trauma centres in the country and involve the insertion of a thin tube into a large vein which is guided through the heart to the blood clot to remove it.
The aim is to rapidly remove the blockage and restore blood flow as quickly as possible to reduce strain on the heart.
Christopher, from Pershore, said: “I personally thanked the doctors who had worked so hard to save my life.
“The care that I have received has been first class across the board. The ICU staff were incredible. I witnessed teamwork at the highest level, everyone was ready to help each other and the spirit of cooperation was magnificent.
“I saw calmness and professionalism despite the urgency of the situation. I have had five-star treatment at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and their professional staff have saved my life. I will be eternally grateful.”
Prior to the complex procedure, Christopher was rushed to the hospital after he woke suddenly one morning unable to breath prompting his wife to call an ambulance.
Having been stabilised in the hospital’s A&E department he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
Christopher was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism and the interventional radiology team got to work trying to remove the blood clots from Christopher’s lungs.
After eight hours of removing his blood clot, improving his circulation and stabilising Christopher, he was returned to the Intensive Care Unit to recover from his ordeal.
Due to the severity of Christopher’s blood clots, there was still the possibility of brain damage, and the next day Christopher was woken up surrounded by his wife and daughter.
Just four days after his pulmonary embolism, Christopher was discharged from hospital and was fit enough to recover in the comfort of his own home.
Weeks later he continues to be seen by blood specialists at the hospital as an outpatient and has received follow-up scans and medication.
Following the first mechanical pulmonary thrombectomy, a new pulmonary embolism response team will be formed at the centre to improve care for patients in similar situations to Christopher.
Plans are also in place to upgrade the Interventional Radiology Suite at the hospital to allow the delivery of even more complex life-saving procedures for patients.
