Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death
Latest news...
16 April - Cardiac Rhythm Management national clinical audits
Cardiac Rhythm Management national clinical audits (2010 data) detailed individual cardiac network reports which describe local implantation activity alongside national trends and recommendations are now all available online - These can be accessed via www.devicesurvey.com or via web.nicor.org.uk. 14 December - Cardiac Rhythm Management: UK National Clinical Audit 2010
This report describes cardiac device implantation performance in each Cardiac Network in England and Wales for 2010, and compares it with performance in 2009 and 2008.
22 August - Ownership of Implanted Medical Devices August 2011
The following documentation gives advice and guidance to help clarify the legal position of implanted cardiac device ownership.
In summary, unless specific pre-operative or subsequent consent has been gained the default position is that the device is owned by the individual into whom it is implanted, however this statement does not cover all eventualities therefore these documents should be read in full.
What we do...
Arrhythmia is one of the top ten reasons for a hospital admission. Patients can inherit the condition or it may be acquired, the symptoms can include palpitations, loss of consciousness, dizziness and breathlessness and in extreme cases an arrhythmia can cause sudden cardiac death.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia, the risk of acquiring AF increases with age (4% of over 65's) and although generally treatable it can be linked with incidence of stroke. The AF in primary care work is being led by the stroke team with close links to the heart team.
The national improvement lead taking arrythmia-related enquiries is Dr Campbell Cowan (National Clinical Lead), Elaine Kemp (National Improvement Lead - Arrhythmia). Sheelagh Machin ( Director - Heart), and Julie Harries (Director - Heart)
The Arrhythmia Resource Library is now available. The aim of the library is to help NHS teams source resources and information relating to arrhythmia chapter 8, sudden cardiac death and inherited cardiac conditions. The resources available in the library include:
Guidelines- Training resources
- Presentations
- Strategies
- Reports.
