An End To Inequalities Will Further Boost Heart Surgery Survival Rates, Says British Heart Foundation

Main Category: Heart Disease
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 30 Jul 2009 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

In response to the publication of Demonstrating Quality: The Sixth National Adult Cardiac Surgical Database Report (1) which examined outcomes for adult cardiac patients British Heart Foundation (BHF) Associate Medical Director Dr Mike Knapton said:

"This report shows that patients have increasingly better chances of survival following cardiac surgery even though the people undergoing these operations are more likely to be older and sicker.

"However, while demonstrating a high quality of care and progress, it also highlights variations in access to aortic valve surgeries in England. Local healthcare providers need to urgently investigate why this is.

"If we are to tackle these inequalities and meet the needs of an increasingly elderly and obese population we need a robust strategy to meet the future demand for cardiac surgery. The BHF is part of the Cardio and Vascular Coalition which is calling for a planned approach to cardiovascular provision in the coming decade."

(1) Prepared in response to: Demonstrating Quality: The Sixth National Adult Cardiac Surgical Database Report, published by Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery of GB and Ireland and Dendrite Clinical Systems Ltd, 30/07/2009

Source
The British Heart Foundation

• Additional
• References
• Citations