Lack of surgical equipment in Quebec could delay heart surgery

Quebec hospitals are experiencing a shortage of basic medical equipment needed to perform heart surgery.

A reduced supply of oxygenators – the device that delivers oxygen to patients during heart surgery – means patients could face potential delays.

Dr. Louis Perrault, president of the Quebec Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons, says a contingency plan is in place should the situation worsen.

“The emergency plan was presented to the management of the professional services of all cardiac centers (in Quebec) on Thursday,” Perrault said.

The first part of the contingency plan, Perrault says, is that heart surgery centers share equipment with centers that don't have their own equipment.

According to Health Canada, devices from Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation will be in short supply starting February 22, 2023 due to a manufacturing disruption. Another supplier of oxygenators, Maquet Cardiopulmonary GmbH, was forced to recall oxygenators last year.

“Both suppliers continue to supply product, but in smaller quantities than we would like,” said Joel Clement, a spokesman for the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute. “We are closely monitoring the situation.”

The Montreal Heart Institute said it was “aware of the delivery challenge” but it was “nevertheless able to take mitigation measures with other suppliers”.

Noémie Vanhewertzwijn, spokeswoman for Quebec's Ministry of Health, told Radio Canada that she recognizes the province's “supply of oxygenators for cardiac surgery is currently under pressure.”

Vanhewertzwein said the provincial shortage management committee is also monitoring the situation and looking for solutions, which could include finding alternative equipment.

That could mean delays for patients going under the knife for heart surgery, Perrault said.

“If it lasts more than a few weeks, we can significantly reduce the number of heart surgeries,” Perrault said. “A contingency plan provides a way to prioritize patients.”

But Quebec isn't the only province in Canada dealing with oxygen shortages.

Dr. Ansar Hasan, president of the Canadian Society of Cardiac Surgeons, says he's also hearing from colleagues in other parts of the country.

“Surgeons have to make important decisions. How do we make the most of what we have? And how do we make sure we have the oxygenators to handle the volume of cases?” Hasan said.

Health Canada said in a statement that CBC shortages occur for a variety of reasons, including “equipment failures, weak supply chains, geopolitical events and workforce constraints.”

Health Canada engages governments and manufacturers along the supply chain to reduce shortages and facilitate sharing, but it cannot control the supply of medical devices or force companies to produce oxygenators.

He expects the Terumo cardiovascular oxygenator shortage to end in April.