Reid Health first in the region to treat heart failure patients using breakthrough CCM therapy

June 8, 2023 -- Reid Health is among the first hospitals in Indiana and the only health system in East Central Indiana and West Central Ohio to use CCM^TM therapy -- delivered by the Optimizer^® system -- to treat patients suffering from heart failure.

Heart failure is a progressive condition with debilitating symptoms that can severely limit the quality of life for heart failure patients. CCM therapy -- also known as cardiac contractility modulation -- is a new, FDA-approved heart failure treatment proven to improve quality of life for patients who are no longer adequately responding to medications to manage symptoms or slow the progression of heart failure.

The innovative therapy is the first of its kind intended to improve the contraction of the heart, allowing more oxygen-rich blood to reach the body. CCM therapy delivers precisely timed electrical pulses to the heart that are intended to improve the heart's ability to contract and can be used in conjunction with medications and other heart failure therapies.

"This is great news for all those living in our region who feel their congestive heart failure has put them in a place of no options," said Tyler Evans, Cardiovascular Service Line Director for Reid Health.

"With this therapy, patients who are used to not being able to walk across their house without taking a break can go for longer walks, work in their yard, maybe play golf again, and spend more time with their families without the restrictions of being held back by their condition."

CCM therapy is delivered through the Optimizer, a device about the size of a pacemaker that is implanted under the skin of the patient's upper chest through a minimally invasive surgery. Patients typically go home a few hours after the procedure and can start feeling better during that time with the benefits building over the next few months.

"For a patient and the provider, the procedure itself is as simple as implanting a pacemaker," said Xinqiang Han, MD, Electrophysiology Cardiologist for Reid Health. "Patients should have no fear in asking about this device and having it done if it can help them."

"This is great news for all those living in our region who feel their congestive heart failure has put them in a place of no options. With this therapy, patients who are used to not being able to walk across their house without taking a break can go for longer walks, work in their yard, maybe play golf again, and spend more time with their families without the restrictions of being held back by their condition." -- Tyler Evans, Cardiovascular Service Line Director

Heart failure, a condition in which the heart slowly weakens and is not able to adequately supply oxygen-rich blood, affects an estimated 6.5 million Americans and nearly 26 million people worldwide. By 2030, it is expected to affect 8 million Americans.

Heart failure patients experience debilitating symptoms, including breathlessness, fatigue, confusion, and swelling in the legs that make everyday activities challenging and significantly diminish quality of life. Most heart failure patients are prescribed medications intended to slow the progression of the disease and manage their symptoms. As the condition progresses, these treatments lose their effectiveness and quality of life continues to decline.

CCM therapy may be an appropriate option for heart failure patients who continue to experience symptoms despite taking the optimal heart failure medications for their condition.

To find out if CCM therapy -- delivered by the Optimizer system -- is right for you or someone you love, talk to your primary care provider or cardiologist or visit reidhealth.org/services/heart-vascular-center.

CCM therapy was developed by Impulse Dynamics, based in Mount Laurel, NJ. Visit Impulse-Dynamics.com to learn more about the company.