Grandmother given second chance after world-first heart valve operation

A grandmother has been given a “second chance at life” after undergoing a world-first heart valve operation.Julia Butterworth, 53, had two valves in her heart replaced in 2007 after doctors detected a murmur in the organ. Despite being monitored, the gran-of-four underwent another operation in 2022 to replace two more valves, and a third one was deemed “irreparable.” In July last year, she then began experiencing fatigue and breathlessness, and doctors broke the news that any valve replacements were “not suitable” as she went into heart failure. Julia and her husband, Michael Butterworth began “preparing for her funeral” as doctors across the UK told them nothing further could be done. However, the medical team at Leeds General Infirmary refused to give up, and began looking into alternative treatment. Consultant on the team, Dr.Chris Malkin, thought there might be a solution by using a particular type of valve that was available from a company in India.They contacted medical professionals around the world to see if anyone could help and later that month, a cardiologist flew over from Denmark.Dr.

Malkin and the medical team imported and modified the valve in a “world-first” and carried out pioneering keyhole surgery on her heart in September 2024. Despite the operation having never been performed before, it was a success, and eight-months-later, Julia is home and recovering well. “It was a first-in-the-world procedure,” the Gildersome, West Yorks resident said.“I wasn’t scared of the operation, I think it was just the unknown. My inspiration was to get well for my family and for my grandchildren – they were there in my thoughts all the time.

One day I was planning my funeral and the next I was thinking about my future.”Julia first had two of her heart valves replaced in 2007. In 2012, she also began experiencing issues with her kidney function and underwent a transplant three years later, with her father being her living do...