Cardiac surgery team achieves a global first

London Health Sciences Centre announces firsts in treatment option for blood circulation

Canada Newswire
February 26, 2013

In addition to being first in North America to use the new blood circulation device, geko™, the Cardiac Surgery team at LHSC is first in the world to use the device in cardiac surgery.

The device helps to manage post-operative edema, which is swelling resulting from excess fluids following cardiac surgery. Beginning in December, Dr. Bob Kiaii, Division of Cardiac Surgery, and the cardiac surgery team at LHSC treated patients recovering from heart surgery with the geko™ device.

"The device offers patients a drug-free treatment option for a common condition following cardiac surgery and simplifies current strategies to eliminate excess fluids," says Dr. Kiaii. "This is important because excess fluids impede oxygen delivery and wound healing, compromise pulmonary function, and delay resumption of bowel function."

The size of a wrist-watch and worn behind the knee (image at left from http://www.gekodevices.com/en-uk/), the self-contained geko™ device is designed to increase blood flow by activating the muscle pumps in the lower leg that return blood to the heart, emulating the blood flow rate normally achieved by walking (up to 70 per cent), without the patient having to move or exert energy. Patients can apply the battery powered device themselves and have the control to turn it off or on.

"Dr. Kiaii and his team continue to build upon London Health Sciences Centre's legacy of innovation," says Bonnie Adamson, President and CEO, LHSC. "This is another example of LHSC utilizing advanced technologies to improve outcomes for the patients we serve."

To date, nearly 60 patients at LHSC had success with the device as part of their treatment plan. "Early observational use of the geko™ device has shown promise and we are planning to conduct a controlled trial to further investigate its health benefits," continues Dr. Kiaii.

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