BJC Cardiology

Feb 12-18 marks Heart Failure week during Heart Disease month in America.

Heart failure is the leading cause for hospitalization for those older than 65.

Being hospitalized for heart failure has profound significance. Roughly 25-33% of those hospitalized for heart failure do not survive another year. That survival rate is worse than all but a few stage 4 cancers. By five years after a heart failure hospitalization, only 25-50% survive.

However, recent medical and surgical advances have been shown to improve the likelihood for one's survival following a heart failure hospitalization. In fact, being on all four pillars of medical therapy for those who have a weak heart (Heart Failure reduced Ejection Fraction or HFrEF) not only reduces the likelihood for heart failure hospitalization but adds several years of life compared to those who are on just two or three heart failure medicines. Most studies unfortunately indicate that only a small fraction of patients with HFrEF are on all four pillars of medical therapy.

Be sure to ask your doctor if you're taking the four pillars if you have a weak heart and find out what you can do to feel better.

Try clicking on this link to learn more about heart failure https://hfsa.org/patient-hub/additional-resources

I'm pretty proud to have had the opportunity to implant the first two Impulse Dynamics Optimizer Smart Mini cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) devices not only in St. Louis but in the state of Missouri in the past week.

The device is FDA-approved to improve the symptoms, quality of life, and performance of those whose lives are significantly limited their weak heart. After implant, recipients often experience a noticeable improvement within hours and durable benefit years after implant.

If you or someone you know suffers from congestive heart failure (CHF) due to a weak heart despite maximal medical therapy, this device may be the answer to your/their hope for a better life.

To learn more and discuss whether you are an appropriate candidate for this or other heart failure treatment options, please call 6369317101 or 5737010090 to set up an appointment.

Special thanks to the whole team along each step of the way, from those who help to coordinate each procedure, to those who prepare and educate our patient before and after their procedure, to those who keep our patients as humanly safe as possible in the OR.

Not pictured: Barb Neiswander Cindy Naeger Ralph Albanese