5/14/2009

Jewish Hospital receives Ventricular Assist Device certification

LOUISVILLE, KY  – Jewish Hospital has been granted certification by The Joint Commission as an approved facility to use ventricular assist devices as permanent support for patients with severe heart failure which is known as  “Destination Therapy”.  Only 64 facilities in the United States have received this certification.

A ventricular assist device (also known as a VAD) is a blood pump that assists the heart in pumping blood through the body in patients with congestive heart failure. Destination Therapy is used when a patient has severe heart failure but is not a candidate for transplantation.

Currently, Jewish Hospital has one of the ten busiest ventricular assist device programs in the country. Dr. Mark Slaughter, Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Louisville and Director of the Heart Transplant and Mechanical Assist Device program at Jewish Hospital, is the principal investigator for a clinical trial with the HeartMate II, focusing on using VADs for destination therapy.  The HeartMate II is much smaller than previously approved LVADs and is intended for a broad range of advanced-stage heart failure patients. The device can pump up to 10 liters of blood per minute, covering the full output of a healthy heart.  It is implanted alongside a patient’s native heart and takes over the pumping ability of the weakened heart’s left ventricle.  HeartMate II is easier to implant than prior devices, and with only one moving part, the HeartMate II is designed to provide exceptional reliability and improved patient quality of life.  

Though transplants offer hope for approximately 2,000 advanced heart failure patients each year, over 250,000 patients have no viable treatment option and are considered at high risk for repeated hospitalizations, severely diminished quality of life and limited life expectancy. Recent advancements in mechanical circulatory support (MCS) therapy, through the implantation of a ventricular assist device (VAD), offer new hope for this patient population where there is a critical care need.

“Over half a million Americans are diagnosed with congestive heart failure each year,” said Marty Bonick, president/CEO of Jewish Hospital.  “The use of VADs as a destination therapy provides not only a live-saving option but a better quality of life for many patients.  We are proud to offer this service to our state and region.”

The certification will be good for two years.
“As a nationally recognized heart care program, we are proud to add this certification to our program,” added Dr. Mark Slaughter.  “Our expert team of cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, clinical coordinators, pharmacists, rehab nurses and research coordinators provide the latest in leading-edge care to patients, many of whom have been suffering from heart disease for years with no available treatment alternative.  We are proud to be able to help them get back to living.”