Birt Man Fitted With World's First Battery-Powered Heart Pump

A 60-year-old man Britain has become the world's first to be fitted with battery-powered heart pump as he was too ill to survive a transplant after heart failure.

Barry Wade has been allowed to leave hospital and live at home after tiny three-inch titanium heart pump -- HeartMate II -- was fitted in him, The Sun reported.

Congestive Heart Failure (Congestive Cardiac Failure) Current Management
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart fails to work adequately as a pump that can deliver oxygen rich blood to the body.

The pump is charged by two portable batteries the patient carries in a shoulder bag.

Heart pumps normally need power from the mains. But this is a new portable version, attached to the heart by tubes. It was developed in the US.

Wade had the pump fitted at the University Hospital of South Manchester.

Are Immigrants at a Risk of Increased Heart Failure?
A study has revealed the association of heart failure and immigration status. Immigrants with large waist circumference are at a risk of heart failure.

"I have a new chance of life and I am looking forward to the birth of my new grandson next month. I feel privileged to pioneer this device," said Wade, a resident of Macclesfield, Cheshire, and a father of four.

Source-IANS

Heart Failure More Common in Type 1 Diabetics With Poor Blood Sugar Control
Recent study indicates that type 1 diabetics with very poor blood sugar control are at a higher risk for developing heart failure and this happens at a lower age than the general population.

Is Telemonitoring in Patients With Heart Failure a Failure?
There is no reduction in the risk of readmission or death from any cause with telemonitoring as compared with usual care.