Countess of Chester Hospital introduces advanced pacemaker technique

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has this month introduced a new, advanced pacemaker technique that could significantly improve long-term outcomes for patients with slow heart rhythms.

It is one of only a small number of Trusts in the region to offer it outside of Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. 

Until now, patients at the Trust who require a pacemaker for dangerously slow heartbeats have typically been treated using a conventional pacemaker device which delivers electrical signals to the right side of the heart to help maintain a regular heartbeat.

Whilst effective, this approach can, in some cases, impact how the heart contracts over time, meaning some patients may require ongoing medication or, occasionally, a further procedure to upgrade to a more advanced pacemaker. 

However, in a significant step forward, the Trust has now started using a more advanced type of pacing technique called Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP). 

Unlike traditional pacemakers, which stimulate the heart by placing a wire into the heart muscle, this newer technique places the wire directly into the heart’s own electrical system.  

By working with the heart’s natural signals, it helps the heart to beat in a more coordinated way, helping patients to maintain better heart function over time after receiving a pacemaker. 

The Trust has treated its first patients using the new LBBAP technique earlier this month, supported by leading cardiology specialist Dr Dan Keane from the Royal Free Hospital in London and Dr Patrick Hayle from Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital.  

The rollout follows specialist training for the Trust’s cardiology consultants, catheter laboratory staff and cardiac physiologists, ensuring the technique can be delivered safely and effectively. 

Consultant cardiologist Dr Dennis Caulfield said: 

“This is an extremely exciting step forward for our cardiac services here at the Countess of Chester Hospital.  

“By using a more natural way of pacing the heart, we hope to help patients maintain better heart function in the long term and reduce the need for additional treatments. 

“It’s a really positive development for our patients, giving them access to the latest techniques and improving the overall quality of care we can provide locally,”

Nigel Scawn, Executive Medical Director at The Trust, added:  

“This is a fantastic example of how we are continuing to invest in innovative, high-quality care here at the Countess of Chester Hospital. 

“Introducing this advanced pacing technique means our patients can benefit from the very latest developments closer to home, without the need to travel to specialist centres, and it reflects our commitment to improving patient experience, outcomes and access to leading-edge treatments across our services.” 

Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) is an emerging cardiac pacing technique designed to mimic the heart’s natural electrical activation. It is increasingly recognised as a more physiological alternative to traditional right ventricular pacing. The introduction of LBBAP at the Countess of Chester represents a significant enhancement in local cardiac services.