Hammersmith Hospital becomes first in Europe to use new heart mapping system
The innovative Rhythmia Mapping system - a first of its kind for the NHS and Europe - will offer patients improved treatment of complicated heart rhythm disorders (cardiac arrhythmias) with shorter procedure times.
The complex technique maps electronic signals of the heart and can identify disorders in all four of the heart’s chambers, more accurately and quickly than other systems.
The state-of-the-art 3D technology, which involves a new generation of mapping accuracy, was purchased thanks to the Friends of Hammersmith Hospital and involves using computerised mapping of data obtained from a special roving catheter within the heart.
Dr Davies, Consultant Cardiologist, at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust said: “The major advantage of the system is that it maps the heart’s electrical activity much more accurately and more quickly than other existing systems.
“This new system, which can be used on patients of all ages, will locate the source of abnormal accelerated heart rhythms, guiding their elimination and then confirming successful treatment.
“We expect to be able to significantly reduce procedure times and to provide more accurate and detailed information than before.”
Dr Davies added: “It will improve the quality of patient care for our cardiac patients and can be carried out under local or general anaesthetic, so in some cases the patient could leave hospital that day.
“I would like to thank the Friends of Hammersmith Hospital for supporting this development in cardiac care.”
This European first continues the Hammersmith Hospital’s technological advances, which last July welcomed the opening of two new cardiac catheter laboratories (cath labs).
