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Scientists have used a pioneering balloon technique as a "last chance" treatment to help a patient with severe heart failure.
Richard Reach, 59, had the balloon device implanted to close off a leaky heart valve, after he was told he was too unwell to have open heart surgery.
Doctors at King's College Hospital say the procedure allowed him to improve enough to have more permanent surgery.
With further trials, the device could help thousands more patients, they say.
Special permission
Mr Reach, a builder from Kent, suffered severe heart failure after a heart attack - leaving him extremely unwell and short of breath.
The damage to his heart meant one of his heart valves no longer worked properly, creating a backflow of blood and putting extra strain on his heart.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35409261
Richard Reach, 59, had the balloon device implanted to close off a leaky heart valve, after he was told he was too unwell to have open heart surgery.
Doctors at King's College Hospital say the procedure allowed him to improve enough to have more permanent surgery.
With further trials, the device could help thousands more patients, they say.
Special permission
Mr Reach, a builder from Kent, suffered severe heart failure after a heart attack - leaving him extremely unwell and short of breath.
The damage to his heart meant one of his heart valves no longer worked properly, creating a backflow of blood and putting extra strain on his heart.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35409261