PLUMBER Andrew Needham has notched up an impressive first for Basildon Hospital's new £60million specialist heart and lung centre.

Andrew, 56, from Rayleigh, was spared open heart surgery by being the first patient to undergo a hi-tech procedure at the new Essex Cardiothoracic Centre.

It came after doctors discovered he had a potentially life-threatening condition following a check-up for pains in his legs.

Andrew was suffering from a blocked artery that could have meant he needed a heart bypass. Instead, he was offered the chance to undergo a rare procedure called a rotablation.

On February 20, the centre's lead cardiologist, Dr Paul Kelly, performed the challenging operation in which a diamond-tipped piece of equipment, called a burr, was inserted into the artery, on the end of tiny wire.

The burr breaks up the calcium deposit, allowing a tube called a stent to be fitted to keep the artery open.

The procedure was such a success Mr Needham is now fit and well and already back at work following the operation on. He went back to work two weeks after the procedure.

Mr Needham, who lives with his wife Sharon, 54, at their home in The Paddocks, Rayleigh, said: "It all came as a bit of a shock because I didn't realise I had a problem.

"I felt all right, but I had a few palpitations and pains in my legs. They sent me for an angiogram and found one artery completely blocked, which they can't do anything about, and one almost closed.

"I also found out I was diabetic which I knew nothing about. They told me about this procedure and said I would be the first one. I didn't want major surgery so I went for it."

Despite being a bit noisy, the procedure was straightforward and Mr Needham, a self-employed plumber and heating engineer, remained awake throughout. He even managed a joke with medics as a wire was inserted through an artery in his groin.

He added: "I was able to see my heart on a monitor and hear it beating. It sounded loud because the equipment is air driven, but I can reassure anyone else who may have this done that it really doesn't hurt at all.

"Dr Kelly did a fantastic job and the artery that was no thicker than a piece of spaghetti is now as wide as my finger. To be honest, I thought at one stage I might die, but I'm back on form now and feel absolutely fine."

  • Dr Kelly and Dr Nick Robinson will carry out the next ten to 15 rotablation procedures at the heart and lung centre. It is envisaged a future training programme will enable more doctors to perform the technique.