Cardiac arrest survivor becomes first UHCW patient to receive innovative heart treatment

When Cameron Mair suffered a cardiac arrest, quick-thinking members of the public helped to save his life. Now, thanks to a first-of-its-kind procedure at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust, he has extra protection for the future.

Cameron had been at the wheel of his work van in Stratford-upon-Avon when he became unwell. A passer-by managed to help him out the vehicle and start CPR, while a nearby defibrillator was used before he was brought to University Hospital.

The 33-year-old, who has a genetic heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, became the first patient at UHCW to receive an extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or EV-ICD.

An ICD is a small monitoring device that can deliver treatment if it detects a dangerous heart rhythm. In a traditional ICD, the wire is placed through the veins and into the heart. With an EV-ICD, the wire sits underneath the breastbone, outside the heart and blood vessels.

This means the heart and veins are left untouched, which can reduce the risk of long-term complications, particularly for younger patients who may need device and lead changes over many years. Unlike some other devices that sit outside the heart, the EV-ICD can also deliver a type of treatment called anti-tachycardia pacing, which uses small electrical signals to try to correct a fast rhythm before a shock is needed.

Consultant Cardiologist Dr Ven Lim said: “EV-ICD is still a relatively new technology and only a few centres in the UK provide this service. We are proud UHCW can now offer it to selected patients.

“For patients who may require protection from life-threatening heart rhythms for many years, it provides another option that avoids placing a defibrillator lead inside the heart or blood vessels, while retaining the ability to deliver anti-tachycardia pacing.

“It is a great example of how different specialist teams across UHCW can work together to bring new treatments to our patients.”

The procedure followed rigorous planning and training. For the first case, Dr Lim worked alongside Cardiothoracic surgeon Mr Sendhil Balasubramaniam, Cardiac Anaesthetist Dr Shane Wilde, Cardiologist Dr Michael Kuehl, Cardiac Physiologists Gracie Gilbert and Daniel Jones, radiographers and nurses as part of a dedicated EV-ICD team.

For Cameron, the procedure has brought reassurance after a frightening few weeks.

“I was a little bit nervous being the first one in the hospital, but it was exciting,” he said. “Dr Lim talked me through the whole process and told me as much as he could about the device.”

Reflecting on his care, Cameron added: “I couldn’t ask for a better team that’s looked after me. It’s been a lot to take in, but it’s all been worth it. Hopefully I can get back to a normal life.”