A second chance at life is now a heartbeat away for patients with end-stage heart failure.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently approved the use of the HeartMate as a destination therapy, meaning that patients use the device for long-term treatment, University Cardiac Transplant Coordinator Beth Fallin said.
The HeartMate is an assistive device, not an actual artificial heart, Fallin said. It is located in the lower left side of the abdomen. Porcine, artificial valves extending from the HeartMate, are control devices that connect to the left ventricle of the heart. Then, the blood is pumped into the aorta and out to the rest of the body.
Fallin said the University Medical Center has been using the HeartMate since 1996 as a transition device while patients wait for heart transplants.
While several medical centers use the HeartMate for temporary treatment, Sentara Norfolk and the University Medical Center are the only CMS-approved medical centers that can use the device in a long-term treatment plan, Fallin said.
The CMS approved the use of HeartMates as destination therapies in 58 hospitals in the United States, said Jim Bergin, University medical director of heart failure and heart transplants.
"I think that it is nice that in a state our size, we can offer this therapy," Bergin said.
Approximately five to seven HeartMates are placed each year at the University, Fallin said.
Since long-term treatment recently was approved, Fallin said it is too soon to determine if there will be an increase in the use of HeartMates.
Bergin said HeartMates are placed in patients who fail conventional therapy. These patients use the HeartMate as long-term treatment.
Patients with slow-growing cancer are also candidates, Bergin said. These patients use the HeartMate as an alternative to a donor heart as heart transplants can exacerbate their condition. He said in the future, perhaps HIV and hepatitis patients could use HeartMates.
Fallin said the HeartMate generally functions for two years, although it has been observed to operate for over three years.
The HeartMate runs on electricity, Fallin said. A drive-line that exits out the right side of the abdomen connects to a source of power, like a battery.
While the surgery can extend a patient's life, Fallin said the device is not without risks. After the surgery, there is a risk of bleeding and infection. Also, a patient could suffer a stroke or the right side of the heart could fail. There is a small risk that the device itself could fail.
Bergin said selected candidates will be those who can derive the maximum benefits from the HeartMate.
"The worse thing would be to put in a HeartMate as a destination therapy and then the patient would end up in the hospital with a stroke," Bergin said.
Fallin said the device costs $100,000.
Despite the risks and the cost, Fallin said the HeartMate can extend a patient's life.
"People can live better," Fallin said. "If the surgery goes well, people can be very active."
In the future, Bergin said it is possible that a better device will be created.
"Maybe 10 years from now we could place a device that we be used as primary therapy," Bergin said.
Read More
U.Va. Faculty Senate overwhelmingly adopts a no confidence vote in Board of Visitors
By Xander Tilock | Yesterday"The Faculty Senate expresses no confidence in the Board of Visitors for not protecting the University and its president from outside interference," the resolution read.
Faculty Senate Executives hear from Rector Sheridan and Vice Rector Wilkinson
By Xander Tilock and Grace Traxler | 2 days agoRectors were in attendance for part of Wednesday’s emergency meeting and were asked about the interim president selection process.
Student leaders weigh the future of self-governance after Ryan's departure
By Brendon Bordwine | 3 days agoThe University has a historical tradition of student self-governance, which allows students to take part in decision-making processes.
