Cleveland Clinic London Introduces a New Option for Patients to Treat Abnormal Heart Rhythms

Cleveland Clinic London is now offering a new treatment for patients with abnormal heart rhythms: the extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (EV-ICD). This device offers a new approach to arrhythmia care, with the potential to lessen complications and support better patient outcomes.

Heart arrhythmias – or abnormal heart rhythms – affect over two million people in the UK, with atrial fibrillation (AF) being the most common type. AF alone impacts 1.4 million individuals, significantly increasing the risk of stroke and heart failure. Cleveland Clinic London is committed to delivering innovative therapies that improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with these conditions.

“This technology helps reduce the risks associated with arrhythmias and may present fewer complications compared to traditional devices,” said Professor Aldo Rinaldi, consultant cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic London. “It represents an advancement for long-term care.”

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a device that monitors the heart and delivers an electrical shock when it detects a dangerous rhythm. Many ICDs also include pacemaker functionality. The EV-ICD differs from traditional devices by being placed on top of the heart under the breastbone, rather than inside blood vessels. This placement helps reduce complications, simplifies future care and can deliver gentle pacing without shocks for certain arrhythmias.

Cleveland Clinic London’s cardiac team, led by Professor Rinaldi and Mr Gianluca Lucchese, consultant cardiac Surgeon, is now offering this advanced therapy to eligible patients.

“Our goal is to ensure patients in the UK have access to the latest developments in cardiovascular care,” said Professor Bernard Pendergast, chair of cardiology at Cleveland Clinic London. “The EV-ICD offers another option for managing abnormal heart rhythms.”