Share review of St Bartholomew's Hospital

St Bartholomew's Hospital 2019-09-04 Person 5 5 0

What can I say... From the bottom of my heart, I cannot thank Dr. Ezzat & her team for what they have done for me at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London. I am a congenital heart patient and now 25 years of age - around 3 years ago I developed random episodes of an extremely rapid heart rate, up to 250 beats per minute. Fast-forward to after having an implantable loop recorder fitted under the skin to capture these episodes, I was referred to Dr. Ezzat by my consultant cardiologist and underwent an electrophysiology study with catheter ablation on 24th May 2019 and was successfully treated for Atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia (AVNRT). I could not have asked for a better experience, from the very beginning when I had my consultation appointment to now, Dr Ezzat and her colleagues listened to my concerns from the outset and first and foremost, treated me with care and showed such empathy for how I was feeling, and understood the stress and anxiety the symptoms were causing me. She explained what they suspected was the problem and the treatment options available to me, including catheter ablation, which we decided was best for my particular case, and went on to explain what the procedure would involve, ensuring all my questions were answered and that I was fully informed of what would happen. On the day of the procedure, I was understandably really nervous and worried about the possible risks associated, however, I can only compare my entire experience as though I didn't even have a procedure at all! The team were so wonderful and reassuring, and Dr. Ezzat's knowledge & expertise was impeccable. I felt so safe and confident in her care and I can honestly say that I would do it over again without hesitation now that I know and it was better than I could ever have wished. The procedure itself was absolutely nothing to be worried about, everything was explained again and what to expect before being brought into theatre, and the only unpleasant thing would be the sensation of your palpitations being started so that the problem area can be located, however, I cannot stress that it lasts only for a couple of minutes and a member of the team was always by my side letting me know what was happening and constantly reassuring me. Dr Ezzat even kindly checked on me herself, despite leading the whole team and managing the operation which I truly appreciated. I was also given some light sedative which really helped soothe and relax me. The procedure took approx. 3 hours in total, but what seemed like only half an hour to me, I came out of theatre into my recovery room and my family couldn't believe how well and alert I was, and I genuinely felt so well, as though nothing had even happened. The wound where the catheters were inserted wasn't tender at all, thanks to the nurses who ensured a good pressure was kept on the area with a device. I was monitored closely throughout the evening & night and discharged early the next morning. I walked out of the hospital that day on cloud 9. All I can say is, please, if you are considering catheter ablation or are expected to undgo it, please do not worry! I understand completely how you must be feeling and I was in your shoes, googling everything and looking it all up, but honestly, it was nothing to be worried about at all and nothing like you would expect or build it up to be in your mind, and that is all thanks to the wonderful Dr. Ezzat and all the other specialists who took care of me that day. The hospital itself and all the staff I came across that day are amazing, the facilities are spotless. There is nothing I could say or do that would be enough to show my gratitude to them for giving me my life back. At only 25, the episodes I was suffering brought on terrible anxiety and fear, so much so that I constantly worried whether an attack would come on me at work, during meetings or out and about, to the point that I avoided any social situation. That has all changed and I am back to myself and give thanks each and every day to the wonderful cardiologists and electrophysiologists for my health. Thank you so much Dr. Ezzat, we are blessed to have specialists in medicine like you who truly care and have compassion for your patients, that thank you just simply isn't enough. Love, Laura x