Sarah Bush Lincoln Electrophysiologist Abraham Kocheril, MD, recently performed the first Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) therapy procedure at Sarah Bush Lincoln. SBL is the first organization in the area to perform this procedure.
Chronic heart failure is when the heart muscle weakens and has difficulty pumping blood well enough to meet the body’s needs. It is a very common and growing public health issue. Currently, most heart failure patients are prescribed medication to slow the progression of the disease and manage the symptoms.
The procedure involves implanting a device called the Optimizer, which helps induce CCM therapy. Though the procedure is very similar to pacemaker implantation, the intent is not to assist with the heart’s rhythm; instead, the device helps the heart’s contractions, allowing it to deliver more oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
“This procedure is a great option for people suffering from heart failure,” Dr. Kocheril said. “This has not been previously offered in our region, so this gives people a local option that saves them from traveling.”
Previously, cardiac resynchronization therapy or other treatments were the main options for heart failure. Many people do not meet the criteria for those other options, but they can meet the criteria for CCM therapy, allowing a broader group of people to receive this care.
Chronic heart failure affects an estimated 6.5 million Americans, and by 2030, more than 8 million Americans are expected to suffer from heart failure.
People suffering from heart failure can experience shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling in the legs, but CCM therapy is proven to alleviate those issues.
“Those who have undergone the procedure in other centers have seen significant improvement. They feel better overall, they don’t get as fatigued and their heart pumps better,” Dr. Kocheril said.
The procedure only takes about an hour to perform, and people usually go home the same day, Dr. Kocheril added. After the surgery, people cannot raise their arms over their head for the first two weeks, but after the first two days, they can resume other normal activity, and after two weeks they have no physical restrictions .
For more information, call the SBL Heart Center at 217-238-4960.
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