MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Feburary 6 , 2015
(LONDON, Ontario) –London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) cardiac surgery program is the first in Canada to use a new suture fastening system during open heart surgery.
During a heart valve operation, a ring or band is placed around the opening of the heart valve in order to repair a leaky valve. Traditionally, surgeons suture the ring to the opening of the valve and then fasten the sutures by hand-tying a knot.
Using the COR-KNOT System, the surgeon places the device over the suture, squeezes the device handle to crimp a titanium fastener, which securely holds the suture together, and gently tugs the suture to trim away excess suture tails. “The device allows us to save 45 to 60 minutes of operating room time,” says Dr. Bob Kiaii, cardiac surgeon, LHSC.
Patients benefit from a shorter operation by spending less time under anaesthesia and, more significantly, less time under the control of the heart-lung machine with the heart stopped, which maintains the circulation of blood and oxygen to the body. “One of the primary risks of heart surgery is the length of time that the patient’s heart and lungs are not working. A shorter operation is a safer operation,” says Dr. Kiaii.
When Alred Morrow, 65, a retired teacher from Hanover, Ontario, was told he would be the first patient in Canada to benefit from the new COR-KNOT device he responded, “I had complete trust in Dr. Kiaii and his team. I had heard about the laparoscopic procedure (keyhole surgery) that Dr. Kiaii performs and asked for a referral when my heart murmur began causing me shortness of breath and fatigue.”
Morrow received his heart valve repair operation on December 17, 2014 and was home for Christmas. Following the surgery, Morrow was “walking in no time at all,” but had a minor set-back with shortness of breath that saw him readmitted to hospital for one day. “My lung problem has eased and I feel much better.” After 6 weeks, Morrow is now walking on the track at the local arena every morning.
The COR-KNOT System, manufactured by LSI Solutions, Inc., in Victor, New York, has also been used in hospitals in the United States of America and Europe. Use of the device at LHSC was made possible through special approval from Health Canada.
About London Health Science Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been at the forefront of medicine in Canada for 140 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, the Kidney Care Centre, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 65 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca
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