World Renowned CardioThoracic Surgeon Brings
Mechanical Circulatory Support Expertise to Oklahoma

 March 5, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY - Many heart failure patients in Oklahoma once traveled to Utah for mechanical circulatory support (MCS). Thanks to James Long, M.D., Ph.D., who brings his world-renowned expertise to the Oklahoma Advanced Heart Failure Program at INTEGRIS, these patients will now receive the care they need closer to home.

“We want to make this amazing therapy available to patients throughout this region,” says Nicolas Jabbour, M.D., medical director of the Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute. “Patients suffering from heart failure can now receive this treatment here at INTEGRIS Baptist via the expertise of Dr. Long and his team.”

Using revolutionary, implantable heart assist pumps, MCS gives heart failure patients hope previously thought impossible. Once pioneered as temporary support for patients who were awaiting a heart transplant, this therapy is currently being broadly applied for the treatment of advanced heart failure. Patients may now receive a permanent device when transplantation is not an option.

Following implantation, patients return home to their every day activities. Many patients experience renewed vigor and appreciate a quality of life once compromised by heart failure.

“My decision to re-locate to Oklahoma was based on a great opportunity to meet desperate needs,” says Long. “I think the people of this region deserve the very best. Building on a great heritage and infrastructure, I intend for our patients to have access to the best, leading-edge therapies available anywhere in the world.”

Karl Nelson, RN, MBA, joins Long, serving as the program’s administrative director. Nelson has worked with Long for the past 10 years and has helped pioneer many field-wide initiatives.

Doug Horstmanshof, M.D., will play a vital role on the team treating patients who suffer from heart failure. He is an INTEGRIS heart transplant cardiologist and a specialist in advanced circulatory devices. “Dr. Long has been a pioneer in the development of artificial heart technology for more than 15 years and continues to be a thought leader in the field,” says Horstmanshof. “It is an honor and a privilege to be part of the fantastic team we have developed with Dr. Long’s guidance to build on those efforts and extend the most comprehensive and advanced heart failure care possible to all of the people of Oklahoma and our surrounding region.”

The addition of new expertise extends the value of well-established heart surgery and cardiology programs already present. INTEGRIS Baptist is the only facility in Oklahoma to offer this therapy while providing the widest possible spectrum of options for cardiovascular care.

“Dr. Long is a huge asset to our program,” says Jabbour. “We continue to build upon the success of our transplant program, but want to stress that we are not just a transplant facility. The infusion of Dr. Long’s expertise in the heart failure field will be a giant step enhancing our comprehensive programs.”

Long previously served as adjunct professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Bioengineering at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He founded and directed the Utah Artificial Heart Program, and served as surgical director of the Utah Cardiac Transplant Program at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City. He continues to be involved in research, and has an extensive publishing background. Long has collaborated in the development of ventricular assist devices.