AdventHealth Tampa Introduces Life-Changing Device for Heart Failure Patients aimed at Improving Quality of Life

TAMPA, Fla. — AdventHealth Tampa is the first hospital in the West Florida region offering an innovative therapy for patients experiencing heart failure, with the goal of reducing hospitalizations and improving the quality of life for those who previously had few options for treatment. This comes as deaths and disability caused from cardiovascular disease have been increasing steadily across the world over the past 30 years.

The device, called the Optimizer Smart Mini CCM Delivery System, is a minimally invasive, implantable device that treats patients who have decreased heart function and who are also experiencing advanced congestive heart failure symptoms even after appropriate medical treatment. The device operates by delivering precisely timed electric pulses to the heart muscle, called cardiac contractility modulation therapy.

Normally, the left ventricle pumps blood throughout the body, but in some patients, it does not work properly, which can cause shortness of breath and other problems. This new device sends an electrical stimulus to the ventricular septum, which can help improve the way the heart muscle contracts.

AdventHealth Tampa was the first hospital to participate in clinical trials for this device. Clinical trials showed that 81 percent of patients who received the implant experienced an improvement in their heart function, which led to fewer hospitalizations and improvement of their symptoms.

“For patients who are struggling with congestive heart failure or reduced heart function, this device could be life-changing,” said Dr. Alejandro Michel, who specializes in cardiovascular disease and Interventional Cardiology with AdventHealth Tampa. “We've already seen such promising results from the clinical trials, and I'm thrilled that we're now able to offer it to our patients here at AdventHealth Tampa. This is a significant advancement in the field of cardiology, and I'm excited to see the positive impact it will have on our patients' quality of life."

The Optimizer Smart Mini CCM Delivery System, manufactured by Impulse Dynamics, is rechargeable through the skin, which makes it easy for patients to use.

“As heart failure patients often have few effective options to treat their condition, we remain encouraged to see CCM therapy paving a path leading to improved quality of life for those with this significant unmet medical need,” said Dr. Ishu Rao, Medical Director for Impulse Dynamics.

Heart failure happens when the heart cannot pump enough blood and oxygen to support other organs in your body. Around 6.2 million adults in the United States have heart failure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In 2018, heart failure was mentioned on 379,800 death certificates, the CDC reports. In 2019, this condition, which encompasses heart disease and stroke, accounted for an alarming one-third of all global deaths.

For more information about this device and other treatments offered at AdventHealth Tampa, visit https://www.adventhealth.com/hospital/adventhealth-tampa.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Rozyla

Senior Manager of Media Communication
AdventHealth West Florida
lauren.rozyla-wong@adventhealth.com
m: 813-928-352

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About AdventHealth Tampa

AdventHealth Tampa is a not-for-profit 626-bed tertiary hospital specializing in cardiovascular medicine, digestive health, neuroscience, orthopedics, women’s services, pediatrics, oncology, endocrinology, bariatrics, wound healing, sleep medicine and general surgery including minimally invasive and robotic- assisted procedures. Also located at AdventHealth Tampa is the renowned AdventHealth Pepin Heart Institute, a recognized leader in cardiovascular disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and leading-edge research. The modern adult and pediatric-dedicated emergency rooms introduce the emergency physician at the beginning of the visit, an example of how AdventHealth Tampa is committed to providing compassionate and quality healthcare. For more information, visit www.AdventHealthTampa.com.

About Impulse Dynamics

Impulse Dynamics, based in Marlton, N.J., is dedicated to helping healthcare providers enhance the lives of people with heart failure by transforming how the condition is treated. The company has pioneered CCM® therapy, which is delivered by the company’s Optimizer® Smart systems, an FDA-approved treatment verified to improve the quality of life for heart failure patients. CCM therapy is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment option for many heart failure patients who otherwise have few effective alternatives available to them. To learn more, visit www.ImpulseDynamics.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.