The woman kept alive by her handbag until transplant becomes available

Heart health

A young woman whose heart is too weak to pump blood around her body is being kept alive thanks to high tech equipment in her handbag.

Daniela Vargova, from Chippenham in Wiltshire, relies on a battery-powered pump - known as a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) - to keep her alive until a donor heart becomes available.

Mr André Simon, director of transplantation at Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Unfortunately there is a severe shortage of donor organs and many patients are living with a VAD for several years before receiving a transplant.”

The full story is available on Mail Online.


Consultant

Mr André Simon

Consultant cardiothoracic surgeon; Director of heart and lung transplantation and mechanical circulatory support

Specialises in cardiothoracic surgery, including heart and lung transplantation, ventricular assist devices and mechanical circulatory support.