A University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) patient has benefited from a pioneering surgical technique after suffering a life-threatening event during a run on the moors.
Mark, a veteran long-distance runner, suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed while on Bodmin Moor in December collapsed due to a cardiac arrest. A member of his running group, who was an off-duty medic, was able to perform CPR on him while another ran a half-mile to retrieve an Automated External Defibrillator from a nearby pub. Thanks to their quick action, Mark was kept alive and subsequently airlifted to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
Shortly after arrival, Mark underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) surgery using the innovative Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH) technique, pioneered at UHP. This minimally invasive procedure, uses small incisions instead of the traditional long leg incision, speeding up recovery and reducing complications.
Runners EVH surgery key takeaways:
- University Hospitals Plymouth is transforming cardiac care with Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH), a technique that reduces recovery times, infection risk, and hospital stays for patients undergoing bypass surgery.
- After suffering a cardiac arrest on Bodmin Moor, a runner was saved by bystander CPR, a public defibrillator, and cutting-edge surgery at Derriford Hospital—highlighting the life-saving power of both community response and NHS innovation.
- With over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests annually in the UK and increasing death rates among working-age adults, techniques like EVH are more important than ever in improving survival and long-term recovery outcomes.
UHP says that Mark’s recovery has been outstanding.
“It is just amazing,”
he said.
“I can’t believe they were such small incisions; I can barely feel them.”
UHP’s use of EVH is setting new standards in cardiac care, improving outcomes and recovery for patients like Mark.
UHP first adopted EVH in 2008, after a team of US surgeons provided training. After a reintroduction in 2022, the hospital’s Cardiothoracic team has made significant strides in expanding the use of this technique.
EVH not only reduces the size of the incision—from ankle to groin, which used to be one of the largest incisions in surgery, to just three to four centimetres—but it also minimizes the risk of infection and reduces post-operative pain. These benefits lead to quicker recovery, allowing patients to mobilize sooner and shorten their hospital stays, ultimately improving overall patient care.
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Since UHP reintroduced EVH, the hospital has completed over 400 successful procedures, with plans to expand its use to all appropriate CABG patients. The technique has already shown impressive results, with no signs of leg wound infection or cellulitis in the first three months of its implementation. This is a stark contrast to traditional open vein harvest procedures, where complications like bleeding sometimes required additional surgery. Importantly, the average hospital stay for EVH patients has been significantly reduced, helping to increase bed availability and speed up patient recovery.
Mark’s story is not an isolated incident. According to recent UK health data, over 30,000 people suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) each year [1], with survival to 30 days still under 10%. In London alone, projections estimate 12,000 OHCAs in 2025, with emergency services calling for broader public access to defibrillators and CPR training. [2]
Alarmingly, cardiovascular deaths among working-age adults (20–64) are on the rise. In England, the rate climbed from 49 per 100,000 in 2019 to 55 per 100,000 in 2023, marking the first sustained increase in decades. This trend signals a growing public health challenge—and highlights the critical importance of innovations like EVH. [3]
UHP says it is not only committed to advancing EVH in patient care, but also to ensuring its widespread adoption. The hospital is actively training Specialist Clinical Practitioners (SCPs) in EVH, with future plans to establish a “train the trainer” program to help other hospitals across the UK implement the technique. This initiative aims to bring EVH to the forefront of CABG surgery nationwide, further improving recovery times and patient outcomes.
In the coming years, UHP says it plans to transition fully to EVH for all suitable CABG patients, further solidifying its commitment to pioneering cutting-edge procedures and providing the highest standard of care. Mark Wreford’s story is just one of many that demonstrates how EVH is not only changing lives but also reshaping the future of cardiac surgery.
For further information please contact the Communications and Engagement Team for University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust at phnt.communications@nhs.net, or on 01752 432666.
