New study to benefit pacemaker patients
“Our findings mean that we can switch to a technique which requires little expertise to perform, allows rapid assessment of patient benefit and may be carried out by only one specialist. the savings on time and expertise will allow us to help many more pacemaker patients now and in the future."
Dr Rhys Benyon
UHSM Cardiology Centre
New research by UHSM doctors based at Wythenshawe Hospital could make it possible for many more patients with heart faliure to get the best out of their pacemakers - and save time and money.
Often pacemakers become unsycronised and need to be regularly adjusted. Faliure to do so can lead to problems for patients including poor heart function and quality of life. Experts say minute changes in timings of as little as 20 milliseconds can make all the difference.
Currently, doctors use cardiac ultrasound to determine how best to reset pacemakers to optimum effect. But the process is time consuming, technically demanding and it requires at least two heart specialists, and importantly not everyone who needs it gets it.
Now a study of 25 patients led by Dr Rhys Benyon and the team at UHSM's cardiology centre has found that impedience cardiography - a simple technique that measures changes in the body's resistance using three pads placed on the outside of the chest is just as reliable.