Royal Brompton Hospital has been named a Gold Class Centre of Excellence by the International Cardio-Oncology Society.
In 2011, London’s Royal Brompton Hospital set up the UK’s first dedicated specialist cardio-oncology service. The mission of the service is to improve the cardiovascular health of people before, during and after cancer treatment. This reduces the risk of cancer patients developing heart problems after treatment.
Royal Brompton Hospital’s Cardio-Oncology Service is one of only six hospitals outside the US and 15 worldwide to receive GOLD status from the US-based Society, its top designation.
Dr Alexander Lyon, clinical lead for the Cardio-Oncology Service at the Royal Brompton Hospital said: “Professor Stuart Rosen and I started the service from scratch in 2011, and we have since provided care to over 1500 cancer patients and survivors. We also provide education and training in cardio-oncology to many UK and international doctors who have returned to their hospitals and countries to set up cardio-oncology services.
“The service has a growing global network of hospitals around the world “where we provide support and strategic guidance, and we learn from each other for the benefit of our patients.”
Professor Stuart Rosen, consultant cardiologist at Royal Brompton Hospital said the Cardio-Oncology Service has “realised our dream to transform cancer care and become a beacon for other centres nationally.”
This recognition reflects the hard work the team has delivered in building and delivering its unique service and based on the feedback received, “our patients, oncology and haematology colleagues truly appreciate the service which we provide.”
While travelling in Canada “to celebrate the end of my life with cancer” after chemotherapy for breast cancer, Kreena Dhiman felt tired, her chest was tight, and she struggled to breathe. Kreena was diagnosed with acute heart failure and rushed to intensive care. On her return to the UK, she started medication and intense rehab, which returned her heart to a normal range of function.
When a patient discovers that they have heart failure secondary to a cancer diagnosis, it can feel like the final straw that breaks the camel’s back, Kreena said. “When I was brought into the care of Dr Lyon, it felt like someone had finally caught me and stopped the free fall. His expertise and knowledge saved my life. His care and compassion gave me hope.
“I thought my life was going to end when heart failure knocked at my door. I was afraid that I would die before I had the chance to live. But I went from being incredibly unwell and using a wheelchair to move around, to recovering, climbing mountains, and becoming a mother to four wonderful children. A pre-schooler and triplet toddlers, all born through surrogacy.”
Having the support of the medical team at Royal Brompton Hospital has been pivotal in Kreena’s recovery, and “it comes as no surprise that their work has been acknowledged with this award.
“I hope there are more stories of hope like mine in years to come.”
Alexander Smail has been under the care of Dr Alexander Lyon and his team since 2012. He was referred to the service at Royal Brompton Hospital after suffering two bouts of cancer and pneumonia, which lead to severe heart failure caused by his chemotherapy which had left him breathless.
After being admitted to Royal Brompton Hospital for a fortnight due to the severity of his heart condition, Alexander started taking the appropriate medication and responded well to the treatment. A year later, Alexander had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted to regulate his heart and monitor it remotely.
“Dr Lyon has seen me at regular intervals over the years, which has always been reassuring. I know I can contact the hospital if I have any worries and get a speedy response,” he said.
“I cannot praise Dr Lyon and his colleagues too highly, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.”
Stephen Casselli, executive director of the International Cardio-Oncology Society, said: “The review committee was very impressed by Royal Brompton Hospital’s Cardio-Oncology Service and its quality improvement projects, and we feel these would be a great motivation to other institutions.”