New heart procedures introduced at Barnet and Chase Farm hospitals (UK)

New heart procedures at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital NHS Trust will provide a "better all-round service" to patients. Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation and coronary angioplasty will be introduced to the cardiology department this summer. The first involves implanting a small defibrillator under the skin, which is connected to the heart by leads. The device automatically monitors heart rhythm, detects when a patient is experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest and delivers an electrical shock directly to the heart as needed to correct the problem. The second procedure is used to treat narrowed heart arteries, which is achieved by inflating a balloon within the artery to crush fatty deposits. Cassandra Bombata, principal cardiology manager, said: "The cardiology department is very excited about the new procedures we will be able to offer our patients." "It will provide a better all-round service to our cardiology patients locally" - Enfield Independent