Christmas came early for one patient at Darent Valley Hospital after he became the first person in the country to receive a state-of-the-art new type of pacemaker.

The appropriately named Peter Dartford, of Dartford, needed his old one replaced and his cardiologist picked out the futuristic sounding Platinum 4LV SonR Device.

Dr Ed Petzer chose it because of its ability to use sound to measure how well the heart valves are working, and it can also adjust the way the heart operates for maximum efficiency.

“The big change in this device is the quadripolar electrodes which allows the device to pace from at least two points on the same lead capturing the ventricle more effectively,” he explained.

“The other significant advantage is that it is only one that incorporates a SonR system that frequently measures the timing of the heart and makes the necessary adjustments by listening to the how well the heart valves are opening and closing.

“The procedure went very well and I hope that Mr Dartford will enjoy the advantages that his new and improved pacemaker brings with it.”

“The device took around 40 minutes to implant and I can’t fault the care that I have received" Peter Dartford

Sensors placed at four different locations around the heart measure how well the organ is performing and the new pacemaker features an internal cardiac defibrillator, which administers a shock if the heart rhythm fluctuates abnormally.

Boasting a 10 year battery life, the catchily-named LivaNova PLATINIUM 4LV SonR implantable cardiac re-synchronization therapy defibrillator only needs to be replaced once a decade.

Mr Dartford said: “My first pacemaker was fitted in 2009 after I became very short of breath. Once the pacemaker was in place it was like being 20 again.

“I understand that my old model of pacemaker had been recalled owing to battery problems in some devices and mine was being replaced purely as a precaution.

“The device took around 40 minutes to implant and I can’t fault the care that I have received.”