St Bartholomew’s ranked number one in cardiac arrest survival rate
Figures published this week by the London Ambulance Service (LAS) show that patients treated for a cardiac arrest at St Bartholomew’s Hospital have the highest survival rate over the past three years.
According to LAS data, more than one in every two patients admitted to the Barts Heart Centre at St Bartholomew’s Hospital between 2016 and 2019 was discharged following treatment.
Across London, the proportion of people surviving a cardiac arrest that happens outside hospital has reached an all-time high of 10.8% - twice the rate it was a decade ago.
LAS research has also found that when a public access defibrillator (PAD) was used by a bystander, and at least one shock was delivered to patients, the survival rate was more than five times higher (57.1 per cent).
Barts Heart Centre is the largest of its kind in Europe and includes a dedicated pathway for patients experiencing heart attacks and cardiac arrests across North London.
Ambulance crews bring patients directly to the Centre, instead of an emergency department, where they are given access to a team with the specialist expertise and equipment.
Treatments include rapid deployment of stents to improve heart blood supply and the use of temporary pumps to assist the heart in pumping if its weakened.
Dr Simon Woldman, Director of Barts Heart Centre, said: "We are delighted that the teamwork across the NHS is producing such startling results.
"Barts Heart Centre's principal aim when we were set up five years ago was to improve mortality from all forms of cardiac disease, and we are delighted that the investment is paying off."