Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, a teaching affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine, today announced that it is the first hospital in New England to successfully treat heart failure patients with a new device that may improve their quality of life. Unlike other treatment options that require the surgeon to open the patient's chest or place them on a heart-lung bypass machine for the surgery, the HeartNet™ Ventricular Support System developed by Paracor Medical, Inc. is a minimally invasive procedure intended to slow or halt the enlargement of the heart associated with heart failure. Surgeons position the HeartNet, a mesh "wrap" that surrounds the heart, over the failing heart ventricles of patients in advanced stages of heart failure. Caritas St. Elizabeth's is one of 30 leading heart failure centers in North America testing the HeartNet, comparing it to other treatments.
Comprised of Nitinol-an elastic titanium mesh-the HeartNet wraps around and reinforces the walls of the heart. It provides permanent, gentle support that is designed to reinforce the walls of the heart to slow or stop the enlargement process and enable the heart to work more efficiently, ultimately decreasing the debilitating symptoms of heart failure. When coupled with other heart failure therapies like proper medication, the HeartNet may help return patients to their desired lifestyle.
More than five million Americans suffer from heart failure according to the American Heart Association, and more than 500,000 new heart failure diagnoses are made each year. Furthermore, it is estimated that only about half of the Americans diagnosed with heart failure will survive more than five years. Heart failure is reported to be a cause of or a contributor to more than 300,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.
"We are excited about the HeartNet's potential as a less invasive surgical approach to permanently assist weakened or failing heart muscles," said Stephen A. Olenchock, Jr., DO, cardiac surgeon, Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center. "The Advanced Heart Failure team is encouraged by our early observations and we will see if the HeartNet restores more normal function in diseased hearts without major open heart surgery, potentially reducing the need for more invasive procedures."
"The initial trial data suggest potential long-term benefits to qualified heart failure patients receiving this implant," said Lana Tsao, MD, director of the Advanced Heart Failure Program, Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center. "Caritas St. Elizabeth's is pleased to be a part of the early investigation of this device. We look forward to evaluating its success compared to therapies currently available."
Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center is using the HeartNet as part of the Prospective Evaluation of Elastic Restraint to LESSen the Effects of Heart Failure (PEERLESS-HF) Trial, a randomized study comparing the HeartNet to other treatments. The HeartNet is a minimally invasive procedure that takes about one hour from start to finish, allowing for a reduction of heart wall stress in patients with congestive heart failure whose hearts are typically enlarged. The patient does not need to be placed on heart-lung bypass for the surgery and, because surgeons apply a gentle mechanical support to the failing heart without opening the patient's chest to provide access to the heart, recovery time typically only takes three weeks.
Patients interested in participating in the clinical research study may call Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center's Research Coordinator Ann M. Pieczek, BSN, RN, at 617-789-3043 for more information and to determine eligibility. Information about the device is also available at http://www.paracormedical.com.
About the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
The Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center provides the latest in cardiac care across the spectrum of cardiovascular disease. Patients benefit from experts in clinical cardiology, electrophysiology, interventional cardiology and vascular medicine. Clinical activities are integrated closely with the Division of Cardiovascular Research, providing the opportunity for patients to participate in groundbreaking research in areas such as gene therapy for chronic chest pain related to coronary artery disease.
About Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, located in Boston is a major academic medical center affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine. Areas of medical excellence include cardiology, cardiovascular surgery and cardiovascular research, neurosciences, women's health, high-risk obstetrics, bone and joint health, hematology/oncology, pulmonary medicine and gastroenterology. Caritas St. Elizabeth's is a member of Caritas Christi Health Care, the second largest health care system in New England.
Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center
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