Derry heart patient’s shock at being told he did not meet criteria for specialist cardiac device
A Derry man has told the ‘Journal’ he was shocked to have been told he was among over 100 people to have had a specialist cardiac device implanted between 2007 and 2023 despite not meeting the criteria.
The local heart patient recently received a letter from the Belfast Trust advising him that a team of cardiologists at the Belfast Trust want to undertake a review of his cardiology records. He is due to travel to Belfast City Hospital on Hallowe’en.
"It's scary to get that out of the blue,” said the man who underwent the procedure to have the cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) device implanted in 2009.
“I was 49. I'm due up at the Belfast City Hospital on October 31. I'll wait and see what they have to say and take it from there. At this stage I don't know what way it is going to go.”
The local heart patient has been assured that there are no safety concerns regarding the CRT device – a specialist device that is implanted to treat a small proportion of patients with heart failure (poor heart pumping function).
But the Belfast Trust has advised that between 2023 and 2024, it ‘identified some concerns regarding decisions to implant very specific and specialist cardiac devices for a number of patients under the care of Dr. Ernest Lau’.
“We investigated the issues and as a result, and in order to look further, we asked the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) to carry out an expert and independent review of several cases.
"The Royal College subsequently agreed with some of the concerns around Dr Lau’s decision-making and they recommended we take a more detailed look at Dr Lau’s practice. To help us, they gave us some specific criteria to look at.
"As a result of the advice from RCP, alongside our own review of patient records, we have identified 140 people who have had a CRT device implanted which is outside of the criteria given to us by the RCP.
"In order to ensure these patients have the best care plan going forward, a small team of consultant cardiologists with specialist knowledge of cardiac devices based in Belfast Trust are thoroughly reviewing the cardiology records of each of those 140 people,” the Trust said in a statement.
The health authority is currently in the process of writing to each person impacted and offering them the opportunity to meet with a consultant cardiologist.
The Derry heart patient said it was unsettling to have been told that he did not meet the criteria for a CRT fully seventeen years after having it fitted.
“This is the third pacemaker I’ve had and its five batteries later,” the local man reflected.
The Belfast Trust insisted that none of the patients affected should have any safety concerns and has said that the follow-up consultations are to ensure those treated received the best possible care.
“We must stress, the CRT devices are safe. Patients treated by Dr Lau do not need to take any immediate action. However, should anyone have concerns they can contact the Trust’s advice line on: 028 9615 0100 which is open 9.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday,” the Belfast Trust said.