First in Heart, Centra's Heart & Vascular Institute among first to implant innovative device
Dr. Matthew Sackett, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and his dedicated team from Centra’s Heart & Vascular Institute have achieved a significant milestone by implanting the first patient in Virginia with the Integra D device as part of an ongoing clinical trial.
This innovative device, designed to assist patients with congestive heart failure, uniquely combines the impulse dynamics of cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) therapy with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). So far, less than 50 patients have received the device worldwide.
Traditionally, congestive heart failure patients require both a defibrillator to prevent sudden cardiac death and a separate CCM device to enhance cardiovascular function. The Integra D device streamlines this process by integrating both functions into a single, rechargeable unit, thereby reducing the need for multiple surgeries and extending the device's usable lifespan.
Centra is among the 75 cardiovascular centers participating in the trial and has been allotted four devices for implantation. The trial, which encompasses between 200 and 300 implants globally, involves a two-year follow-up period to gather comprehensive data. While final results will not be available for a few years, early results have been promising.
In April, Centra’s first patient, Angela Woody, became the inaugural recipient of the device in the commonwealth. Just one-month post-implantation, she has reported noticeable improvements in her condition, such as reduced shortness of breath when going up stairs and walking.
The ideal candidates for the Integra D device are those suffering from congestive heart failure who continue to experience symptoms despite medication. Dr. Sackett is optimistic that the trial will pave the way for this innovative technology to become a standard treatment option, offering new hope and improved quality of life for countless individuals battling congestive heart failure.