A grandmother has been given a “second likelihood at life” after undergoing a world-first heart valve operation.
Julia Butterworth, 53, had two valves in her heart replaced in 2007 after doctors detected a murmur within the organ.
Despite being monitored, the gran-of-four underwent one other operation in 2022 to interchange two more valves, and a 3rd one was deemed “irreparable.”
In July last 12 months, she then began experiencing fatigue and breathlessness, and doctors broke the news that any valve replacements were “not suitable” as she went into heart failure.
Julia and her husband, Michael Butterworth began “preparing for her funeral” as doctors across the UK told them nothing further could possibly be done.
Nonetheless, the medical team at Leeds General Infirmary refused to present up, and commenced looking into alternative treatment.
Consultant on the team, Dr. Chris Malkin, thought there may be an answer by utilizing a selected sort of valve that was available from an organization in India.
They contacted medical professionals all over the world to see if anyone could help and later that month, a cardiologist flew over from Denmark.
Dr. Malkin and the medical team imported and modified the valve in a “world-first” and carried out pioneering keyhole surgery on her heart in September 2024.
Despite the operation having never been performed before, it was a hit, and eight-months-later, Julia is home and recovering well.
“It was a first-in-the-world procedure,” the Gildersome, West Yorks resident said. “I wasn’t frightened of the operation, I feel it was just the unknown. My inspiration was to recuperate for my family and for my grandchildren – they were there in my thoughts on a regular basis. Someday I used to be planning my funeral and the subsequent I used to be enthusiastic about my future.”
Julia first had two of her heart valves replaced in 2007.
In 2012, she also began experiencing issues together with her kidney function and underwent a transplant three years later, together with her father being her living donor.
In 2022, two of her heart valves were replaced again and she or he says a 3rd was deemed “irreparable”.
Last July, Julia, who has chronic kidney disease, was admitted to LGI, where doctors checked out each her kidneys and her heart.
Julia had a difficulty together with her tricuspid valve and the sort of replacements that were available weren’t suitable for her, as that they had been previously together with her other heart valves.
She’s been told around August 2024 there was “nothing more” doctors within the UK could do and Christmas was “removed from guarantee”.
“We were numb and didn’t know what to do.It was upsetting,” Butterworth’s husband Michael said. “The top of life team were called.”
Dr Malkin, a consultant at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, thought there was an answer with a valve made by an organization in India.
He put the “feelers out” to medics the world over, and heard back from back from colleagues in Denmark who thought using it was “feasible”.
The operation was deemed “high-risk” because it had never been done before but Julia and Michael agreed it was the perfect option as she entered multi-organ failure.
“Once my family was completely satisfied with it, it made it easier for me to be more focused and positive about it,” Butterworth added. ” I had nothing else to lose really. I’ve been poorly for a very long time and I’ve at all times had a positive outlook and attitude.”
The valve was imported and modified and doctors carried out the keyhole surgery.
In the course of the procedure, they then discovered they would want to make use of an extra valve and place one inside one other.
The surgery was successful and Julia was up and walking inside just a few days.
Dr. Kate Gatenby, one other Leeds consultant who was a part of the team involved in Julia’s surgery and care, says she’s “delighted” that Julia is doing well.
“We’ve gone from someone who was bed certain, with a very limited life expectancy, who was in hospital loads of the time, to someone who’s now walking, doing well and in a position to spend time at home together with her grandchildren,” Dr. Gatenby said. “The number of people that’ve been involved in Julia’s care, it’s an actual story of collaboration and teamwork.”
The couple don’t have anything but gratitude towards the staff involved in Julia’s care – and towards those that gave the family hugs and support.
“Now I’m home and the whole lot has gone well,” Butterworth added. “I often think, especially when there’s occasions like Mother’s Day, that I won’t have been here to see this and see my grandchildren. I’m so grateful to the NHS for the whole lot they’ve done.”
A grandmother has been given a “second likelihood at life” after undergoing a world-first heart valve operation.
Julia Butterworth, 53, had two valves in her heart replaced in 2007 after doctors detected a murmur within the organ.
Despite being monitored, the gran-of-four underwent one other operation in 2022 to interchange two more valves, and a 3rd one was deemed “irreparable.”
In July last 12 months, she then began experiencing fatigue and breathlessness, and doctors broke the news that any valve replacements were “not suitable” as she went into heart failure.
Julia and her husband, Michael Butterworth began “preparing for her funeral” as doctors across the UK told them nothing further could possibly be done.
Nonetheless, the medical team at Leeds General Infirmary refused to present up, and commenced looking into alternative treatment.
Consultant on the team, Dr. Chris Malkin, thought there may be an answer by utilizing a selected sort of valve that was available from an organization in India.
They contacted medical professionals all over the world to see if anyone could help and later that month, a cardiologist flew over from Denmark.
Dr. Malkin and the medical team imported and modified the valve in a “world-first” and carried out pioneering keyhole surgery on her heart in September 2024.
Despite the operation having never been performed before, it was a hit, and eight-months-later, Julia is home and recovering well.
“It was a first-in-the-world procedure,” the Gildersome, West Yorks resident said. “I wasn’t frightened of the operation, I feel it was just the unknown. My inspiration was to recuperate for my family and for my grandchildren – they were there in my thoughts on a regular basis. Someday I used to be planning my funeral and the subsequent I used to be enthusiastic about my future.”
Julia first had two of her heart valves replaced in 2007.
In 2012, she also began experiencing issues together with her kidney function and underwent a transplant three years later, together with her father being her living donor.
In 2022, two of her heart valves were replaced again and she or he says a 3rd was deemed “irreparable”.
Last July, Julia, who has chronic kidney disease, was admitted to LGI, where doctors checked out each her kidneys and her heart.
Julia had a difficulty together with her tricuspid valve and the sort of replacements that were available weren’t suitable for her, as that they had been previously together with her other heart valves.
She’s been told around August 2024 there was “nothing more” doctors within the UK could do and Christmas was “removed from guarantee”.
“We were numb and didn’t know what to do.It was upsetting,” Butterworth’s husband Michael said. “The top of life team were called.”
Dr Malkin, a consultant at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, thought there was an answer with a valve made by an organization in India.
He put the “feelers out” to medics the world over, and heard back from back from colleagues in Denmark who thought using it was “feasible”.
The operation was deemed “high-risk” because it had never been done before but Julia and Michael agreed it was the perfect option as she entered multi-organ failure.
“Once my family was completely satisfied with it, it made it easier for me to be more focused and positive about it,” Butterworth added. ” I had nothing else to lose really. I’ve been poorly for a very long time and I’ve at all times had a positive outlook and attitude.”
The valve was imported and modified and doctors carried out the keyhole surgery.
In the course of the procedure, they then discovered they would want to make use of an extra valve and place one inside one other.
The surgery was successful and Julia was up and walking inside just a few days.
Dr. Kate Gatenby, one other Leeds consultant who was a part of the team involved in Julia’s surgery and care, says she’s “delighted” that Julia is doing well.
“We’ve gone from someone who was bed certain, with a very limited life expectancy, who was in hospital loads of the time, to someone who’s now walking, doing well and in a position to spend time at home together with her grandchildren,” Dr. Gatenby said. “The number of people that’ve been involved in Julia’s care, it’s an actual story of collaboration and teamwork.”
The couple don’t have anything but gratitude towards the staff involved in Julia’s care – and towards those that gave the family hugs and support.
“Now I’m home and the whole lot has gone well,” Butterworth added. “I often think, especially when there’s occasions like Mother’s Day, that I won’t have been here to see this and see my grandchildren. I’m so grateful to the NHS for the whole lot they’ve done.”
