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First HeartMate II Implants in Oklahoma Performed at INTEGRIS
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June 27, 2008
Every 34 seconds, heart disease claims another life in the United States. It is the No. 1 killer in the country and in the state of Oklahoma.
The INTEGRIS Advanced Cardiac Care program, headed by James Long, M.D., Ph.D, is waging war against this disease by offering new hope to advanced heart failure patients and their caregivers. The newest weapon in the fight is the Thoratec® HeartMate II left ventricular assist device.
The HeartMate II is the first of the next generation blood pumps. Unlike the first generation devices containing pulsing pumps and valves, these continuously flowing rotary pumps do not need such components and so are smaller, quieter and less prone to complications. The ultimate objective of such technological advances is to restore a high quality of life to those disabled by heart failure.
INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center was the only center in Oklahoma and one of only 44 centers in the country to participate in the landmark clinical trial of the HeartMate II LVAD.
Jessica Lavigne of Cushing, Okla., was a participant in the trial. She is 26 years old, the mother of two children, and the first patient to receive a Thoratec® HeartMate II left ventricular assist device implant in the state of Oklahoma.
Lavigne had been experiencing heart failure symptoms for years. She was eventually hospitalized and became completely dependent on intravenous life sustaining medications. Her only option for survival was to receive the new and improved LVAD. For her, the HeartMate II is being used as a bridge-to-transplant therapy. The device will help her heart continue to function until a new heart becomes available.
Prior to the availability of this clinical trial in Oklahoma, patients had to travel out-of-state to have this procedure. For example, Oklahomans have gone to Salt Lake City where Dr. Long was an investigator for the HeartMate II trial while practicing in Utah. Now that he has brought the expertise and technology to
INTEGRIS, those living in the Sooner State no longer have to travel great distances to receive this type of expert care.
As a result of the clinical trial, in which Dr. Long performed investigational surgeries in both Oklahoma and Utah, the HeartMate II received FDA approval recently for bridge-to-transplant therapy.
“This is a great milestone for the field of mechanical circulatory support therapy and for lots of heart failure patients with a serious critical care need,” says Dr. Long. “The INTEGRIS Advanced Cardiac Care program is contributing to the evolution of MCS therapy and providing the highest standard of care to our community that will not only extend life but improve its quality.”
While the bridge-to-transplantation arm of the study is now complete, Dr. Long and his team at INTEGRIS will continue to participate in the long-term therapy arm of the HeartMate II LVAD clinical trial, exploring more “permanent” use of the LVADs to treat heart failure.
Victor Pollock of Oklahoma City is a participant in this arm of the trial. On June 16, the 73-year-old became the first person in the state of Oklahoma to receive a HeartMate II implant as a destination therapy, meaning the device will assist his natural heart for the rest of his life.
Pollock had a history of congestive heart failure and was failing fast. His primary care physician, Erin Glasgow, M.D., at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, knew he was at death’s door. She told him about the INTEGRIS Advanced Cardiac Care program and its involvement in an investigational study of the HeartMate II LVAD as a lifelong therapy. Because she recognized the severity of his condition and pursued
specialized leading-edge treatment, Pollock is alive today.
Pollock is the first of many Oklahomans playing a vital role in the eventual FDA approval of the Thoratec® HeartMate II left ventricular assist device for permanent use.
The media is invited to a special press conference announcing the first HeartMate II implants in Oklahoma. Both patients, Dr. Long, cardiovascular surgeon Craig Elkins, M.D., cardiologist Doug Horstmanshof, M.D., and Erin Glasgow, M.D., will attend.
DATE: Tuesday, July 1
TIME: 10 a.m.
PLACE: INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center
Conference Rooms K and L
Please page 629-3204 in advance if you plan on attending so that we may reserve your spot for the event.
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INTEGRIS Health Corporate Communications
3030 N.W. Expressway
Suite 1620
Oklahoma City, 73112
(405) 951-4826 |
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