BUPA Press Release - New Trial Reduces Risk Of Surgery
May 2006
The first results of a new trial, which assesses patients at high
risk of heart and lung problems using an exercise test before
surgery, has revealed fewer patients suffering complications after
their operation.
BUPA Health Insurance is funding the treatment of BUPA members in a
year-long trial at The London Clinic to establish the benefits of
carrying out a test, known as the Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Test
(CPX), on all high-risk patients. The test is used to predict how
well a patient’s heart and lungs can cope with the increased stress
experienced after surgery.
Without CPX testing, and the indicated additional care before and
during surgery, around 10 percent of these high-risk patients
return to intensive care unexpectedly after their operation, for an
average of four additional days. In the initial CPX study, this
number was reduced to zero.
CPX testing indicates which patients would clearly benefit from
additional care. This can include fluid therapy and preventive drug
treatment, with increased monitoring before and after theatre. CPX
may also reduce the cost of healthcare, as every additional day in
intensive care costs at least £1,500.
Dr John Goldstone, clinical director of intensive care medicine at
The London Clinic, commented on the findings: “These first results
are extremely encouraging. By testing high-risk patients with CPX
we are able to significantly reduce complications and even reduce
mortality from essential surgery.”
BUPA Health Insurance is funding any referrals of BUPA members for
this procedure throughout the course of the trial.
For further press information, please
contact:
Rebecca Hoskins
020 7656 2638
hoskinsr@bupa.com
Notes to Editors:
First results of the CPX trial are based on the referral of 50
patients.
BUPA
BUPA is the UK market leader in health and care services with a
strong international presence. It has over 8 million customers in
over 190 countries and 42,000 employees. Its main activities are
health insurance, hospitals, care homes for older people and young
disabled people, health assessments, and workplace health and
childcare services. Sanitas in Spain, HBA and Mutual Community in
Australia, IHI in Denmark and AMEDEX in the US are all part of the
BUPA Group. BUPA is a provident association, which reinvests all
its surpluses back into the business. The BUPA Foundation is an
independent charity, which funds medical research.