NEW technology means heart patients in Warwickshire will have less need to visit hospital.
South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust’s Cardiology Team has implanted its first patients with a device known as LINQ II, which monitors the heart for abnormalities.
The monitor – around one-third the size of a AAA battery – will be used for patients who experience symptoms including dizziness, palpitations, fainting, or chest pain – or for stroke patients whose cause of stroke is yet to be determined.
Because symptoms can present infrequently and randomly, patients need long-term monitoring or ongoing management.
The device is placed just beneath the skin through a small incision in the upper left side of the chest. The LINQ II system offers patients a consistent way to be connected with their physician throughout diagnosis and treatment with remote monitoring options.
So far, the team has carried out the small procedure on five patients including Emma Spencer, a medical student working at the trust.
Medical director Charles Ashton, said: “A major focus of our trust is to support people to lead healthier lives by improving the wellbeing of our community and focusing on health prevention rather than illness. The LINQ II device will assist our Trust with this aim by helping stroke and cardiac patients to lead more independent lives.
“The system will provide our patients with the reassurance to help them manage their conditions at home with the knowledge that our clinicians will be able to remotely support and monitor their health.”
