Physiologist trained to implant life-saving device

Thursday 30 May 2019

A local physiologist has become the first non-doctor able to implant a special device that helps to detect and diagnose life-threatening heart conditions.

Kari Pitcher, a Senior Clinical Physiologist in the hospital's clinical investigations department, has been trained to implant the Medtronic LINQ device in patients.

The monitoring device is inserted underneath patients' skin, close to their heart, and uses wireless technology to send information about their heart health to the clinical investigations team, which can them be used to diagnose a range of conditions - including those that are rare and hard-to-detect.

Currently being used to help around 100 islanders, the device can be implanted in a procedure that only takes a few minutes.

Pictured: The device is currently being used to help around 100 islanders.

Previously, only cardiologist Dr Andrew Mitchell was able to implant the technology.

Kari's training means that he will be free to concentrate on more complex cases. It is also expected to enhance patient comfort by allowing Kari to perform the procedure on patients she has already worked closely with. 

She undertook her first implantation with the help of Dr Mitchell, who has designed a Jersey-specific single-use operating kit, but is expected to be able to perform the procedure alone within six months.

Pictured: Dr Mitchell has developed a Jersey-specific single-use operating kit.

“We are already doing most of the work – the last piece in the jigsaw was doing the implant. It makes sense for the physiologist to do that part as well as we build up a relationship with the patient," Kari explained.

“It means that Dr Mitchell’s time is freed up so he can concentrate on more complex cases and there is also a financial benefit as in the longer term we are looking to take the procedure out of the day surgery setting.”

Dr Mitchell added: “The number of cardiac patients that we are treating is going up steadily so we need capacity in the future. The fact that Kari will be able to implant the device independently not only improves the patient’s journey but also allows me to focus on more complicated cases.”