A DOZEN North-East patients have undergone complex heart procedures as part of an international training event attending by specialists from all over the world.

The patients were treated by leading experts at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle while being observed via video link by more than 150 heart specialists sitting in a nearby lecture theatre.

The procedures were carried out as part of the first international teaching course hosted by the Freeman Hospital for complex coronary angioplasty and stenting - both procedures used to open narrow or blocked coronary arteries without the need for surgery.

‘Complex Coronary Interventions Live’ took place on Thursday and Friday and was attended by three of the most eminent interventional cardiologists from the USA and France as well as many top cardiologists from across the UK.

Freda Stewart, 69, from Chester-le-Street, was one of the patients who underwent an angioplasty while the delegates watched.

An angiogram showed that one of her arteries had become so narrowed with calcium deposits that it was almost completely blocked – a serious condition called atherosclerosis.

Training course director, Freeman Hospital cardiologist Dr Javed Ahmed, demonstrated to the delegates how to tackle her narrowed artery through angioplasty, where a small balloon, in a catheter, is inserted into the blood circulation system via a large vessel in the groin.

Guided through the blood vessels by x-rays the balloon was inflated at the site of the blockage, widening the blood vessel and improving the blood flow.

After the procedure Mrs Stewart said: “I can’t explain the difference I feel. Before yesterday I couldn’t even do a ten minute walk to the local shops I was so breathless. Today I’m talking while I’m walking – it’s wonderful and I’m so grateful to the doctors here. What they do is amazing.”