Advocate Christ Medical Center Studying Effectiveness Of Device To Treat Heart Failure, USA

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Medical Devices
Article Date: 11 Jul 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Advocate Christ Medical Center, the largest provider of heart care in Illinois, is participating in a nationwide study to determine the effectiveness of a novel medical device in enhancing treatment of patients with severe heart failure, helping them feel better and improving the quality of their lives.

The device, known as the Cancion® CRS ™ cardiac recovery system and developed by California-based Orqis® Medical Corporation, consists of a small, motorized external pump that helps increase blood flow down a patient's aorta. The intent of the study is to determine whether this temporary increase in blood flow can trigger changes in the heart, arteries and kidneys, thereby relieving some of the signs and symptoms of heart failure.

The device is used while a patient remains hospitalized, but disconnected and removed at the time of the patient's discharge from the hospital.

Called the MOMENTUM Clinical Trial, the investigation compares the effectiveness of the Cancion® CRS™ cardiac recovery system, in combination with standard medications, to treatment results when using standard medications alone.

The Oak Lawn, Ill.-based Christ Medical Center is one of only 40 major health care institutions participating in the clinical trial. Only patients who have severe heart failure, have failed more standard treatment options for their disease and are hospitalized are potentially eligible for inclusion in the study.

Nearly five million Americans suffer from congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart is weakened and unable to pump blood efficiently. Some 200,000 of these patients respond poorly to medications and often require hospitalization. Coronary artery disease, previous heart attacks, cardiomyopathy and other cardiovascular disorders can lead to heart failure. Symptoms of the disease include shortness of breath, wheezing and edema.

Heart failure is the cause of more than one million hospitalizations annually and costs the health care system in the United States more than $29 billion each year.

http://www.advocatehealth.com