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Font size Cardiovascular Health
Getting On Your Nerves To Save Your Heart
– Reported, March 10 2014
Heart failure is the fastest growing cardiovascular disorder in the U.S., affecting more than 6 million people. It occurs when a persons heart is too weak to pump and circulate blood in the body. However, now a new device that gets on your nerves could help save those with heart failure.
For years taking a walk was a tough task for Laquita Fossitt.
I just felt out of breath, tired, and weak, Fossitt told Ivanhoe.
At age 35, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Two decades later, she was told she needed a transplant.
Some days I didnt even want to get up, Fossitt explained, but thanks to a new nerve stimulation device for the heart, she has a new option.
I think its a very promising therapy, Dr. Kishore Ranadive, Cardiologist, Orlando Heart Specialists, told Ivanhoe.
Dr. Ranadive says the CardioFit device helps the nervous system come into balance, which is needed to regulate the heart.
The device is to kind of optimize that system by stimulating the nerve in the neck, Dr. Ranadive said.
The device is implanted in the chest and consists of a sensor lead that monitors changes in the heart and a stimulation lead thats attached to the vagus nerve.
We slowly increase the current based on the response to the heart rate, Dr. Ranadive said.
It helps patients improve their symptoms. Five months post-surgery, Fossitt is up doing things she couldnt do before.
It has gotten better, Fossitt explained.
Patients take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks to respond to treatment.
CardioFit is already approved in Europe. In the U.S., a multi-center clinical trial is currently recruiting patients. For more information, go to: www.clinicaltrials.gov.
