|
1. What
is end-stage heart failure?
2. How common is end-stage heart failure?
3. What treatment options are available for heart failure
patients?
4. How many people are currently waiting for a donor
heart?
5. What is a total artificial heart (TAH)?
6. Who is a suitable recipient of the CardioWest™
temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t)?
7. What is the CardioWest™ temporary Total
Artificial Heart?
8. How many CardioWest™ TAH‑t systems have
been implanted in patients to date?
9. What is a ventricular assist device (VAD)?
10. What is "bridge to transplant"?
11. How does a VAD work?
12. When is a VAD used?
What is end-stage heart
failure?
End-stage heart failure, also known as chronic heart failure, is a condition
in which a weakened heart slowly loses its ability to pump blood through the body
efficiently. The weakened heart has to work harder in an attempt to pump the proper
amount of blood. To compensate for the higher workload, it may beat faster and
enlarge. While this corrective mechanism can temporarily increase pumping capacity,
it eventually accelerates the progression of heart failure. A transplant is the
only option for survival for most patients with end-stage heart failure.
How common is
end-stage heart failure?
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), there are five million
end-stage heart failure patients in the United States, and 550,000 new cases of
heart failure are diagnosed every year. More than 50,000 people die of heart failure
annually.
What treatment
options are available for heart failure patients?
Conventional care includes a combination of medications and lifestyle
changes. Medications for heart failure patients include beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors,
diuretics, digoxin and inotropes. However, for most patients with end-stage heart
failure, a heart transplant is the only option for survival.
How many people
are currently waiting for a donor heart?
More than 100,000 patients could benefit from heart transplants but fewer
than 2,500 transplants are performed each year. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), approximately
2,800 patients in the U.S. are waiting for a heart transplant at any given time.
In addition, 25 percent of transplant-eligible patients die while waiting for
a donor heart.
What is
a total artificial heart (TAH)?
A total artificial heart (TAH) is designed to completely replace a failing
heart.
Who is a
suitable recipient of the CardioWest™ TAH‑t?
The FDA approved CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH‑t) is intended for use as
a bridge to transplantation in cardiac transplant-eligible candidates dying of end stage biventricular failure.
What
is the CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart?
The CardioWest™ temporary Total Artificial Heart, developed by
SynCardia Systems, Inc., is a pneumatic, biventricular, implantable system that completely
replaces a patient's failing heart. The device consists of two ventricles connected
to the respective native atria and greater vessels. An air hose or drive line
passes from each ventricle transcutaneously to a console that pulses pressurized
air and monitors pump function. The device offers full circulatory support, one
of the shortest blood paths and exposure to artificial surfaces, and one of the
highest levels of cardiac output when compared with other artificial heart systems
available today.
How many
CardioWest™ TAH‑t systems have been implanted in patients to date?
Over 670 CardioWest™ TAH‑t systems have been implanted in
patients to date.
What
is a ventricular assist device (VAD)?
A ventricular assist device (VAD) is connected to the native heart, assisting
it to pump blood. The device helps either of the heart's lower chambers or ventricles.
What is "bridge
to transplant"?
Bridge to transplant is when a TAH or a VAD is used as temporary cardiac
support until a donor heart becomes available for the patient.
How does a VAD
work?
A VAD helps the weakened native ventricle by working in its place. One
type of VAD is placed in the upper part of the abdomen. Another tube attached
to the pump is brought out of the abdominal wall to the outside of the body and
attached to the pump's battery and control system.
When is a
VAD used?
People waiting for a heart transplant often wait a long time before a
suitable heart becomes available. During this wait, the patient's already weakened
heart may deteriorate and become unable to pump enough blood to sustain life.
A VAD can help a weak heart and "buy time" for the patient.
|
