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Following concerns that a heart device had a higher mortality rate compared to a competing product, multiple patients were put at risk at two of the UK’s top transplant centers. Despite being aware of these concerns raised by the NHS in 2018, half of the patients who received the device ended up passing away within three years. The mother of Greg Marshall, a patient who received the device and subsequently died, expressed her dismay at the situation.
The two hospitals in question, the Freeman in Newcastle and Harefield in London, continued to use the heart device for an extended period, casting doubt on the reliability of the data presented by the NHS. The manufacturer of the device, Medtronic, eventually withdrew it due to safety concerns. Patients with heart conditions benefit from Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs), machines that help pump blood for those awaiting a transplant or are not suitable for one.
In October 2018, a preliminary audit conducted by NHS Blood and Transplant compared the performance of the two heart pumps, revealing stark differences. Patients receiving the Medtronic device had a significantly higher mortality rate and experienced more complications compared to those receiving the Abbott device. The failure to stop and restart properly, among other issues with the Medtronic device, led to its withdrawal in June 2021.
Hospitals like the Royal Papworth in Cambridge stopped using the Medtronic device early on, while the Freeman and Harefield continued its use until much later. A lack of clear communication, combined with financial relationships between some cardiologists and the manufacturer, resulted in significant consequences. Despite ongoing external reviews and statements from the hospitals involved, questions remain surrounding the decision-making processes that ultimately impacted the lives of these patients
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