Use of Groundbreaking Device and Early Intervention Helps Patients Recover without Enduring Heart Transplant
DANVERS, Mass., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cardiac and Vascular Surgery Associates (CVSA) Group of St. Francis Hospital and The Indiana Heart Hospital, both in Indianapolis, announced success in supporting patients' hearts with the AB5000(TM) Circulatory Support System from ABIOMED, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABMD). The use of this device allows patients' hearts to rest and recover following events such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI or heart attack) or viral myocarditis. To date, CVSA has treated six patients with the AB5000, with most having a full recovery with their own native hearts intact.
According to the American Heart Association, each year thousands of Americans could benefit from a heart transplant. But only 2,154 heart transplants were done in the United States in 2002. For patients whose hearts can recover, it is important that they be provided with the necessary medical assistance, as early in their treatment as possible, to allow their hearts to recover and leave donor hearts for those most in need.
"By using the latest technology, like the AB5000 ventricular assist device, along with early intervention, we have been able to spare patients from the burden of a heart transplant, and the risk of co-morbidities such as diabetes, recurrent coronary disease and the effect of being on immunosuppressive medications for the long-term," said Dr. Daniel Raess, Director of the Cardiac Surgery Program at St. Francis Hospital and Attending Staff at The Indiana Heart Hospital. "The AB5000 is easy-to-use and leaves no residual damage to the heart. We are now able to use these devices with refined techniques and protocols for anti-coagulation to offer many of our patients the option to go home with their own heart." "In our clinical experience with these devices, we have found that supplying early, acute intervention helps patients with AMI, or heart attack, followed by shock to not only survive, but to recover the natural function of their heart," said Dr. Gregory Dedinsky, Attending Surgeon at St. Francis Hospital and The Indiana Heart Hospital. "Patients with AMI cardiogenic shock, who are provided with this care and an appropriate length of stay to recover, very often do so." CVSA was involved in the initial clinical study of ABIOMED's heart recovery and assist devices and has since supported more than 70 patients on ABIOMED's AB5000 and BVS 5000 devices.
ABOUT THE AB5000(TM) Introduced in 2004, the AB5000(TM) Circulatory Support System is ABIOMED's new heart assist model, designed to provide enhanced patient mobility, facilitate patient ambulation (ability to walk around the hospital, encouraging recovery), and provide enhanced features for doctors. The system consists of two principal components. The AB5000 Console is an advanced computer system that drives the blood pumps and can be used either in the hospital or for transport of patients between hospitals. The AB5000 Ventricle is a disposable blood pump capable of supporting the left, right, or both ventricles of the heart and is designed to provide improved patient mobility, comfort and ease of use. The AB5000 indications for use encompass any cardiac disorder, resulting in ventricular failure, where assist is likely to allow native heart recovery. This includes, but is not limited to: AMI, postcardiotomy shock, failed cardiac transplant, right heart failure while on an implantable left ventricular assist device, and other cardiac conditions such as viral myocarditis.
ABOUT ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers, founded in 1914 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, is one of the largest health care systems in Indiana, with three main facilities in Beech Grove, Indianapolis and Mooresville. St. Francis Hospital is part of a network of 12 growing hospital campuses in Indiana and Illinois owned and operated by the Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc.
In 2005, St. Francis was recognized as one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals(R) by Solucient, the leading source of health care business intelligence. The award recognizes hospitals that have achieved excellence in quality of care, operational efficiency, financial performance, and adaptation to the environment.
St. Francis also is one of only two hospitals in Indiana to receive both the 2005 and 2004 HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital Awards for Clinical Excellence(TM) and is ranked among the top 5% of all hospitals in the country for overall clinical performance.
Contacts:
Mike Hertel Liza Heapes
St. Francis Hospital ABIOMED, INC. (317) 851-2804 Media relations
978-646-1668
DATASOURCE: St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers CONTACT: Mike Hertel of St. Francis Hospital, +1-317-851-2804, ; or Liza Heapes, Media relations of ABIOMED, INC., +1-978-646-1668, Web site:
|