A 98-year-old grandfather becomes the oldest man to undergo pioneering heart surgery

A 98-year-old grandfather has become the oldest man in the UK to undergo a pioneering heart operation.

John Rowland underwent the surgery, which involves inserting a valve into the heart through the groin, at Hammersmith Hospital, London.

Despite living an active lifestyle, he began to suffer from shortness of breath and was advised by doctors that he could suitable for the new procedure. 

He was filmed undergoing a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in the latest dramatic episode of BBC2's documentary Hospital.

But critics, including a surgeon involved in his operation, argue that it is a waste of resources, especially during the current crisis that the NHS is in.

The landmark operation is offered to patients who are deemed not suitable for more invasive open heart surgery.

It offered Mr Rowland a lifeline to continue enjoying life with his family as without it he would survive for just six months. 

TAVI is considered a preferable option to open heart surgery, which is often too stressful for patients of advanced years.  

The NHS say the main advantages of this technique are that the heart doesn't need to be stopped, avoiding a large incision in the chest. 

This puts less strain on the body, allowing people who are considered frail to get the treatment they need without going through other risky options. 

And the average age for patients undergoing the procedure is 80 - despite many having concerns it is too old.

Mr Rowland's consultant Dr Iqbal Malik revealed that operations such as TAVI are becoming more common as the ageing population survives longer.

'When I was training, 65 was the cut-off age (for heart surgery) - that's a young man these days,' he said. 

'It's getting busier. The patients are getting older and they're surviving longer, which is a success story for the NHS.

'It’s a miraculous treatment for the older patients that we couldn’t treat before, that we are now treating.

However, Dr Guarda Mikhail, who was also involved the operation, questioned the future of the NHS as such procedures become more common.

He said: 'We've got all these amazing pioneering techniques such as TAVI. 

'As the population ages, how sustainable is all of this under the current structure of the NHS?' 

But he added: 'We can’t be ageist. We are dealing with an ageing population and he wants a better quality of life. 

'We can’t deny a patient that, no matter what their age is.'

His granddaughter Beth was grateful he was given the procedure which allowed him to spend more time with his family. 

However, after seeing him suffer a stroke as a result she said she wished she was a bit more hesitant. 

Previously, a survey among doctors found that many believe the elderly should be refused operations if they are unlikely to live long enough afterwards to enjoy the benefits.

A third said the NHS should think twice before carrying out hip and knee replacements, as well as other routine procedures.

While in 2011, research by the National Cancer Intelligence Network found evidence of widespread age discrimination for breast cancer sufferers.

A study of 23,000 women found that 90 per cent of those aged 30 to 50 are offered surgery to remove tumours.

However, this was compared to just 70 per cent of those who were in their 70s.

While the surgery proved to be a success, his family faced an agonising wait after he suffered a stroke at the operation's end.

After being swiftly transferred, Mr Rowland underwent a thrombectomy to fish out a blood clot from his brain. 

Despite fears, the pensioner is seen in recovery just days later, with the stroke having caused minimal impact to his speech and movement. 

Beth said she feared she'd been 'too positive' and should have perhaps been more hesitant in encouraging him to undergo the surgery.

But she said she was resolute that it's been a success after seeing him 'become interested in the world again'. 

Just last month, NHS England chief Simon Stevens blasted Theresa May for claiming the Government had given the health service more money than it had requested.

He also said it was unhelpful of the Prime Minister to deny there was a gap in NHS funding.

With a growing and ageing population and after years of efficiency savings, the NHS now faces its biggest deficit in history - and cracks are beginning to show.

In July, experts warned that there could be a 'glut' of hospital services shut down as providers face a £23 billion deficit.

The NHS was forced to draw up plans to close services including A&E departments and district hospitals. 

While the British Red Cross said last month that it had stepped in to deal with the increased demand during the winter, labeling it as a 'humanitarian crisis'. 

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