Heritage Valley Beaver is the first facility in western Pennsylvania to utilize the new MultiPoint Pacing technology, featured on the Quadra Assura MP™ cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D).
MultiPoint pacing technology is designed to deliver electrical pulses to multiple locations within the left side of the heart to resynchronize contraction of the heart’s lower chambers (ventricles). It may also increase a heart failure patient’s response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) by increasing the amount of cardiac tissue being stimulated at one time and may reduce the need for costly and invasive procedures to readjust the placement of the thin wires, called leads, around the heart.
“This innovative technology provides greater pacing flexibility in treating our heart failure patients, and should increase the likelihood of a symptomatic and functional improvement,” said Dr. Leonard Ganz, director of cardiac electrophysiology at Heritage Valley Health System. “We’ve treated two patients with this device. Many patients suffering from heart failure in this region will benefit from this ground-breaking treatment.”
According to the American Heart Association, CRT can improve the heart’s efficiency at pumping blood to the body and can lessen symptoms of heart failure, including shortness of breath. However, even with effective placement of the leads around the heart, therapy can be unpredictable and ineffective for some patients. The goal of MultiPoint Pacing technology is to allow physicians to program the device to capture more left-ventricular tissue at one time by pacing at multiple locations in the heart, increasing the number of patients who benefit from this type of therapy.
“This is a great example of the partnership between Heritage Valley Health System and St. Jude Medical, which allows us to offer the best and newest treatment modality and technique to our patients,” said Kathy Harley, vice president of surgical and procedural services, Heritage Valley Health System. “This is one example of Heritage Valley’s commitment to delivering advanced, high quality care in the communities we serve.”
Approximately 23 million people worldwide are afflicted with congestive heart failure and 2 million new cases are diagnosed worldwide each year. Studies have shown that CRT can improve the quality of life for many patients with heart failure, a progressive condition in which the heart weakens and loses its ability to pump an adequate supply of blood. CRT resynchronizes the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart by sending uniquely programmed electrical impulses to stimulate each ventricle to beat in sync for optimal cardiac performance.
Despite the improvements seen with quadripolar CRT technology, non-responders to therapy remain a significant issue. Also, non-responders to CRT are not able to be identified at the time of implant and individual patient response can be unpredictable. Previous studies have shown that activating more ventricular tissue faster may enhance heart muscle performance.
MultiPoint Pacing technology, from global medical device manufacturer St. Jude Medical, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for commercial use in the U.S. For more information, visit sjm.com.
About Heritage Valley Health System
Heritage Valley Health System is a $480 million integrated delivery network providing comprehensive health care for residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties, in Pennsylvania; eastern Ohio; and the panhandle of West Virginia. In partnership with 3,700 employees and more than 480 physicians, Heritage Valley offers a broad range of medical, surgical and diagnostic services at its two hospitals, Heritage Valley Sewickley and Heritage Valley Beaver; in 60 physician offices; and 18 community satellite facilities. For more information about Heritage Valley Health System, please visit www.heritagevalley.org.