Elderly man becomes Lincolnshire’s first to receive ‘diamond heart’ procedure
Michael has a heart condition and diamonds were used to help solve it
The diamond heart procedure helps correct abnormal heart rhythms, using heating and freezing methods to create scar tissues on the heart. | Photo: Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
An 82-year-old man from Lincolnshire is one of the first patients to undergo a new procedure that uses diamonds to correct abnormal heartbeats.
Michael Lynas, 82, from Holbeach, received the treatment at Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge as he was undergoing an ablation after issues surrounding irregular heart rhythms.
An ablation will use either heat or freezing on the problematic area of the heart that triggers the dangerous rhythm, creating scar tissue to destroy problematic heart tissue.
A catheter containing industrial grade diamonds was used during Mr Lynas’ treatment, and it is hoped this new innovative procedure will not only be a pinpoint cure to arrhythmia, but also reduce surgery times and enhance patient safety in the process.
The DiamondTemp catheter is used in a handful of NHS trusts across England. | Photo: Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
The DiamondTemp catheter is already being used at a handful of NHS trusts across the country, but Mr Lynas’ procedure represents its first use on a Lincolnshire patient.
Michael was brought in for treatment of a condition he has called ventricular tachycardia, which occurs when the lower chamber of the heart beats too fast to pump blood effectively, meaning the body does not receive enough oxygenated blood.
His procedure came three years after he suffered a heart attack, as well as previously having a cardiac arrest, and he was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
Michael Lynas, 82, from Holbeach, was delighted after his procedure. | Photo: Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Speaking just hours after his diamond heart treatment, Michael Lynas said: “My ICD has gone off twice since it was fitted three years ago – it allows me to carry on with my life knowing that I have a device that will shock my heart back into life if needed.
“However, day-to-day I still suffer with an abnormal and fast heart rate and that left me feeling dizzy quite a lot of the time, but since having the ablation performed by Dr Martin and her team my heart has been back in a normal rhythm.
“I can feel the difference inside myself and it gives me an inner confidence I did not have before. I may be 82, but I like to stay active and get out, so this makes such a huge difference to my quality of life.
“This is all thanks to this new technology, combined with the brilliant treatment I have received at Royal Papworth Hospital. I cannot speak highly enough of the care I have received from everyone at the hospital.
“I find it quite amazing that, at the age of 82, I can be given a general anaesthetic, undergo an ablation and then be walking and talking in my room within an hour or two.
“I hope that telling my story encourages and reassures other people who are due to come in for an ablation and gives them confidence that they too will be treated safely by an outstanding and compassionate team.”
Staff at Royal Papworth Hospital after the procedure. | Photo: Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation
Dr Claire Martin, consultant cardiologist at Royal Papworth Hospital, said: “Cooling the heart during an ablation is vital in order to be able to deliver sufficient energy to the tissue and to prevent char building up on the tip of the catheter.
“This new technology makes the procedures safer because less saline infusion is needed to cool down a diamond catheter compared with platinum which is usually used.
“This is important in patients with heart failure because fluid can easily build up in the lungs, so we want to use as little fluid as possible. By using diamonds instead of platinum, we are able to use up to 50% less saline.
“It also provides quicker, more effective cooling, which helps to reduce procedure times and in turn will allow us to perform more ablations each day.”
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The leader of Lincolnshire County Council has welcomed the government’s announcement of a windfall tax, despite voting against calls for it last week.
Councillor Martin Hill says he didn’t doubt that “the government would find the right approach to help families.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled plans to give every household a £400 discount on energy bill, with the poorest also getting £650 to help with the cost of living.
It will partly be paid for with a windfall tax on soaring oil and gas companies’ profits.
Lincolnshire opposition parties had called for the government to take this measure at the council’s AGM last week, but Conservatives voted the motion down, saying the government should be free to decide how to respond.
Councillor Martin Hill today said: “These are extraordinary times, with the pandemic and war in Ukraine causing soaring prices. Prior to today’s announcement, the government had already prepared a range of support worth £22bn, including a council tax rebate and an extension of the Household Support Fund.
“However, the government had made it clear that they planned to do more to help struggling families, and today they have delivered on that promise. This is an extremely generous package of additional measures, with all households benefiting from hundreds of pounds worth of extra support.
“We weren’t against a windfall tax – we were confident that the government would find the right approach to help families. That’s why we rejected the motion before council on Friday, which was more about political point scoring than a genuine attempt to support those in need.
“In contrast, the government has clearly given these proposals serious and careful consideration, and we are fully supportive of the measures, which we are sure will make a real difference to families across the country.”
It is hoped that the government’s efforts will help people affected by the cost of living crisis, which is seeing energy bills soar.
Lincolnshire County Council’s environment boss has said his view on two major solar farm plans using ‘valuable agricultural land’ remains “unchanged” as they move on to the next stage.
The developers of the Gate Burton Energy Park near Gainsborough and the Mallard Pass Solar Farm to the south of the county have both announced a second round of consultation on their proposals.
Lincolnshire County Council’s executive member for Economy and Environment Councillor Colin Davie, however, said: “Since these plans were first mooted, the situation in Ukraine has highlighted the issue of our national food security.
“When it comes to determining these applications, the government needs to take a joined-up approach in deciding what land should be used to meet our energy needs, and what land is best placed to feed the nation.
“Whilst our reaction to the national energy crisis needs to be swift, that should not mean losing valuable agricultural land, or going against the will of local communities.”
He said he was pleased residents were being consulted and that the scale and location of any development should be “appropriate and acceptable”.
“My opinion on these plans remains unchanged; I am in favour of renewable energy developments in the right place, and would actively encourage solar on all new buildings, and on brownfield land,” said Councillor Davies.
“However, I firmly believe the best use of Lincolnshire’s top-grade agricultural land is to produce the food that the nation needs.”
Low Carbon, which is behind the Gate Burton plans will launch a six-week consultation from June 22 to August 5 this year.
The scheme hopes to generate 500 megawatts of renewable electricity – enough to power more than 160,000 homes and avoid more than 100,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year.
Mike Rutgers, Low Carbon development director, said: “After carrying out an initial stage of consultation earlier this year we’ve continued to shape and refine our proposals for GateBurton Energy Park in light of the issues raised as well as the findings from ongoing surveys and studies we’re undertaking.
“This stage of formal ‘statutory’ consultation will give people the chance to have their say on the finer detail for the project including where we’re proposing to locate equipment and deliver a connection into the national grid, as well as the measures we’re putting in place to minimise the impact of the project.”
Mallard Pass campaigners have let their feelings be known on the proposed solar from. Pictured, from left, are Keith Busfield; Gareth Davies MP, Adrian Forsell, Sue Holloway, Helen Woolley, Charlotte Vernon and South Kesteven District Council leader and Lincolnshire County Councillor Kelham Cooke. | Image: Supplied
Mallard Pass, which crosses the border between Rutland and Stamford, would cover more than 2,000 acres of farmland and would generate enough power for 92,000 homes.
It has sparked opposition from local residents and the authorities – including Rutland MP Alicia Kearns.
However, the team behind the plans said more changes have been made, including creating residential “buffer zones”, a further 108 hectares of wildflower and tussock grassland and the introduction of 4.7 kilometres of new permissive paths.
They have also reduced the proposed area for panels and infrastructure by around 100 hectares.
A series of events are taking place throughout June and July for residents to take part in the company’s stage two statutory consultation.
Gary Tomey, managing director of Windel Energy – the company behind the plans – said: “The first quarter of 2022 has demonstrated our vulnerability to volatile energy prices and international energy markets and our urgent need for new energy generation infrastructure, particularly from clean, low-cost sources such as solar.
“It is our ambition to deliver a project that provides reliable and sustainable energy to the national grid while responding sensitively to the local environment, providing opportunities for surrounding communities, and offering enhancements to native wildlife and biodiversity.”
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