The cardiac radiation procedure being performed at the hospital. (Source: London Health Sciences Centre)
Only a few centres within Canada offer radiation treatment for those with heart conditions. London could become one of those spots in the near future.
George Westerik has dealt with cardiac problems for years. He has ventricular tachycardia. The condition is a type of arrhythmia, meaning he has an irregular heartbeat.
There is a higher chance of having heart attacks because of the irregularity. The risk has only increased as Westerik has grown older. He shared that it got particularly bad this past year.
An implanted ICD (implantable cardiovascular-defibrillator) would activate to keep his heart beating. Westerik recalled blacking out a few times from the sharp impact.
A picture of George Westerik. (Source: London Health Sciences Centre)
“Even the precursor to those shocks didn’t feel very good,” he said. The anxiety of that pain coming at any time prevented him from doing many physical activities.
Collaborative efforts between LHSC and Western University have been working to innovate radiation technology. The expert’s hard work has paid off.
LHSC utilized the technology for the first time in October to target a heart condition, with none other than George. The procedure only took six minutes.
It works by removing the abnormal tissue that causes arrhythmia with radioablation.
George said it feels nice to be able to do the things he loves without fear. Especially since it means no more jolts when he’s trying to do them.
“I feel much more positive about playing with the grandchildren, for example. Maybe do a little more travel, go see friends,” he shared.
Dr. Anthony Tang, a cardiologist and researcher, noted that a donation of $1.35 million has contributed to the advancement of research. The gift was made by the H2HCo Foundation to Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.
“This is only the beginning. We have many more things to do and many more things to show. Much more innovation is to come,” concluded Dr. Tang.
