Luton’s Tom Lockyer has been discharged from hospital with the same device fitted to his heart as Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen to prevent another cardiac arrest like he suffered on the pitch at Bournemouth.
The defender collapsed on Saturday and after lengthy treatment on the turf was taken to hospital where he remained until Wednesday. The Hatters have now confirmed that Lockyer is back home having had a procedure “to prevent a repeat of Saturday’s incident.”
Like Eriksen, the centre half was fitted with an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator), which allowed the Danish midfielder to return to playing despite suffering a heart attack during a Euro 2020 game against Finland.
The British Heart Foundation say an ICD is ‘a small device which can treat people with dangerously abnormal heart rhythms. It sends electrical pulses to regulate abnormal heart rhythms, especially those that could be dangerous and cause a cardiac arrest.’
There is no news yet on whether Lockyer will be able to play again, as it is the second time in seven months that he has collapsed in concerning fashion during a game, though most messages from fans across football this week have been focused only on his return to health.
He suffered a atrial fibrillation of his heart at Wembley during the Championship play-off final and Luton Town has confirmed that hospital tests this week have confirmed that the two incidents were different issues.
In a statement, the Hatters said: “We are thankful to report that our captain Tom Lockyer has now begun a period of rehabilitation from the comfort of his own home after he was discharged from hospital on Wednesday.
“This encouraging news follows a successful procedure that took place on Tuesday whereby Tom had an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) device fitted to prevent a repeat of Saturday’s incident.
“The club, Tom and the Lockyer family would like to take this opportunity to repeat our collective heartfelt thanks to all at Bournemouth, their supporters, club officials and especially their medical staff and midfielder Philip Billing, who was the first to reach Tom on the pitch and summon assistance.
“Supported by the actions of Bournemouth’s medical team and local paramedics, it was ultimately the protocols instilled and professional actions of our own medical staff that gave Tom this chance to recover and to whom we are thankful.
“Naturally, the events that unfolded last weekend surprised and shocked everyone witnessing it. Together with Sporting Chance, via the Premier League, the club is in the process of providing care for those who may be affected by any distress caused.
“The clinical advice Tom and the club has taken since the Championship play-off final has been conducted by the most renowned cardiologists, who have been involved at every step, along with a team of supporting multi-disciplinary consultants.
“We can now confirm that the tests taken this week had revealed that the issue Tom experienced on Saturday was different to the atrial fibrillation he suffered in May.
“Tom, his family and the club would like to thank everyone in the football family who have sent messages of concern and love. The level of support has been overwhelming.
“We’re so proud to have Locks as our captain and his leadership will continue from the sidelines where his courage will inspire his team-mates, colleagues, and supporters, starting on Saturday.”
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