Heart Pacemakers And Defibrillators: Are They Reaching All Who Need Them? UK

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Medical Devices
Article Date: 31 Mar 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Heart rhythm disorders are a major cause of sudden death and disability, but for many sufferers a modern pacemaker or other device can save life and reduce symptoms when implanted by a simple operation.

Following on from its first systematic survey last year of device provision in England and Wales, the Network Device Survey Group (http://www.devicesurvey.com) has today made public its audit of provision in 2006. Although UK provision rates are amongst the lowest in Western Europe and, as this survey reveals, there is still evidence of real local inequity of service provision, significant progress is being made.

In 2006, compared with 2005, there was a 9.9% increase in the overall provision of heart rhythm management devices. Although the majority of the increase relates to pacemaker provision, the data also suggest that a greater number of the more sophisticated and complex technologies, like implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) devices, are also being implanted.

As will as representing the single biggest increase in the 30 years that data have been collected on device provision, the increase is significant as it moves the UK from a position low in the international rate league table, with lower than average growth - a position of inevitable deterioration - to a growth rate higher than the European average and the dawning of a comparative improvement.

Welcoming the report, Professor Roger Boyle CBE, National Director for Heart Disease and Stroke, recognised the contribution that the Cardiac Network Devices Survey Group was making in this area and also welcomed the real improvements being made. But Professor Boyle also warned against complacency: "Positive beginnings must not breed complacency - much remains to be done. Overall, UK implant rates must continue to grow faster than the European average and there remains persistent, real inequity of access to devices between cardiac networks and primary care trusts (PCTs). This is something the National Heart Rhythm Management Device Taskforce will continue to investigate."

Dr Edward Rowland, President-elect of HRUK, said "the growth in implantation of these devices is to be welcomed and those involved in the improvement of services locally are to be congratulated. But we do need to ensure that the overall implant rate is brought up to the target level everywhere and to minimise 'postcode-prescribing'".

Trudie Lobban founder of Arrhythmia Alliance (The Heart Rhythm Charity - http://www.arrhythmiaalliance.org.uk) said "I am pleased that access to these devices is increasing and this must in part be due to making the right information available to those that plan and deliver services. But we must also continue to raise awareness of how these devices can vastly improve a patient's life and work towards ensuring that they get these devices when they need them - no matter where they live.".

Arrhythmia Alliance