A grandfather who has suffered 12 heart attacks has become the first in the country to be operated on using new fibre optic technology.

Kevin Dowd, from Warden Bay, underwent the procedure after it was discovered he had an aortic aneurysm.

The multiple heart attacks stopped the 72-year-old, who was a newspaper printing and bookbinding business owner for more than 30 years, from working.

Starting in 1984, he helped produce some of the country's most-read papers – including the Sunday Mirror, The Times and News of the World.

"The only reason I stopped working was because I had a few heart attacks," he explained.

"I previously have had 12 over a long period of time.

"Most cases I didn't realise what they were – it hurt, but I thought I had heartburn.

"However, if I hadn't have had them the doctors wouldn’t have discovered the aneurysm."

Kevin found out he had an aortic aneurysm after it was revealed in a scan for a previous heart bypass he had 11 years ago.

It develops when a portion of the aorta – the main pipe which carries blood from the heart to all areas of the body – weakens, causing a bulge.

This then has a risk of bursting, which can be life-threatening.

The retiree travelled to hospital every three months for a check up, to see if it had increased in size.

His condition was continually monitored and although he had no symptoms, the aneurysm grew and needed treatment.

Kevin added: "When I found out I thought 'oh bloody hell!' – I'd already had one big operation, now I've got to have another one.

"But I'm quite a relaxed guy, and reassured my family I would be fine."

As a result, the grandad of 10 was the first patient in the UK to be operated on using a new method.

Led by Bijan Modarai, professor of vascular surgery and consultant vascular surgeon, the team at St Thomas’ Hospital in London performed the procedure guided by fibre optics which is being developed by Philips.

It involves inserting a stent graft in through the groin and up the body to repair the aorta.

The stent graft is a device customised to the patient’s body which provides a new lining in the aorta, sealing above and below the bulging area to exclude the aneurysm.

These highly complex procedures in the blood vessels – known as endovascular procedures – are usually done using a series of x-rays to guide the surgical team and to ensure the stent graft is properly fitted.

However, repeated radiation exposure can pose risks to the patient and the operating team.

The new technology is now able to thread through blood vessels to create real-time, high-quality 3D colour footage.

'It's always nice to be the first person to have something done...'

It would enable surgeons to complete procedures quicker, more accurately and with improved safety.

Fibre optics could eventually be used for all endovascular procedures, with the aim of allowing x-ray free navigation, not just for aneurysms but for any operation aimed at repairing a diseased blood vessel.

"It's always nice to be the first person to have something done," Kevin said. "Whether it's a big thing or not.

“Professor Modarai instilled in me a confidence.

"He reassured me and explained the risk involved – these fibre optics are as fine as the hair on your head.

"I felt I was in good hands, I trusted him."

After spending just over a week in hospital, Kevin arrived home and was advised not to do anything strenuous for six weeks.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ is one of nine centres in Europe and the USA using this pioneering technology to develop its possible uses in surgery.

Professor Modarai said: “It’s very exciting to have fibre optic technology.

"It means that complex endovascular procedures can be done with less requirement for x-rays which is safer for the patient and our teams.

"The 3D anatomical visualisation of the patient also gives us a more intuitive workflow, which could mean faster procedures.”

Kevin says he is now looking forward to getting out more for walks along the beach with his wife, Jenny, heading out to football matches and continuing to build his model railways.