Heart operations have been suspended at Derriford Hospital

The top of the table became detached and the surgeon had to get staff to steady it while the operation was completed at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth on Thursday 20 February.

The woman died the following Sunday, although the hospital has said there is no evidence at this stage to link the death to the table incident.

All non-urgent heart surgery at Derriford has been suspended whilst the equipment is examined.

The Medical Devices Agency will make sure that our investigation is thorough and that there are no implications for other hospitals in the UK Paul Roberts, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

A post-mortem examination is being carried out in Southampton.

Fifteen operations were cancelled at Derriford Hospital on Wednesday following the complications with the table.

The chief executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Paul Roberts, admitted it was very alarming.

He said: "We've taken them out of operation while we look into it.

"We've also informed the Medical Devices Agency. They're a national body and one of their jobs is to be responsible for the safety of medical equipment.

"They will make sure that our investigation is thorough and that there are no implications for other hospitals in the UK.

"They will also make sure that any discussion or recommendations needed with the manufacturers take place."

An MDA product specialist has already visited the hospital as part of the investigation.

Derriford Hospital is the South West's main cardiac centre.

If the situation continues until the end of this week, a further 20 operations may have to be called off.