Lankenau Hospital Implants Its First Permanent Heart Pump

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Lankenau Hospital now offers the latest technology in permanent heart pumps that gives new hope to patients with end-stage heart failure. In photo from left: Dr. Louis Samuels, Surgical Director of Main Line Health’s Advanced Heart Failure and VAD Program, Elena Casanova-Ghosh, VAD Nurse Practitioner, and Dr. Christopher Droogan, Medical Director, Main Line Health’s Advanced Heart Failure and VAD Program, headed the team that implanted the first HeartMate®XVE as Destination Therapy in Ned Smith from Nottingham, PA, southern Chester County. The HeartMate® XVE, which is the only device approved by the FDA for Destination Therapy (DT), takes over the pumping ability of a patient’s weakened left ventricle.

Destination Therapy gives new lease on life for patients with advanced-stage heart failure

(Wynnewood, Pa.)—Ned Smith didn’t want to accept the fact that his heart was giving out. But by November 1, 2008, the 69-year-old retired auto worker from Nottingham, PA, in southern Chester County, knew he wouldn’t survive unless he underwent a life saving operation to keep his heart pumping.

Today he talks lovingly about the time he can now spend with his grandchildren; and can’t wait to enjoy his favorite sport, fishing, again this spring.

What keeps Ned alive is a HeartMate®XVE Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) attached to the left side of his heart that takes over the pumping ability of his weakened left ventricle.

Heading Main Line Health’s Advanced Heart Failure and VAD Program are Surgical Director Louis Samuels, MD, and Medical Director Christopher Droogan, DO. Along with VAD Nurse Practitioner Elena Casanova-Ghosh, they lead the team at Lankenau Hospital that implanted the HeartMate XVE; the only device approved by the FDA for Destination Therapy (DT).

“When I first saw Mr. Smith it was obvious he was dying from end-stage heart failure,” recalls Dr. Samuels. “He had very little energy, very limited capabilities, and was depressed about his situation. It was a matter of time before he would have succumbed to his condition.”

Dr. Droogan explained that Jennersville cardiologist Dr. Michael Duzy first referred Ned Smith to him in December 2007 because of his repeated heart failure admissions. “We managed his advanced heart failure with intravenous medications but his condition continued to worsen to the point where he was admitted to the hospital 8 times over a 10 month period from January to October 2008. He was basically confined to a bed or a chair.”

Ned had been evaluated twice for heart transplantation in 2006 and again in early 2008, but he was not a candidate for a heart transplant. With no other options, Lankenau’s Advanced Heart Failure and VAD Team offered him Destination Therapy with the LVAD.

According to Dr. Samuels, assist devices used for Destination Therapy are the same for bridge-to-transplantation, which keep patients alive until donor hearts become available.

“These are electric pumps hidden under the skin and powered by a cable to an energy source,” he explained. “The real breakthrough was discovering that these pumps-- historically used to support patients waiting for a heart transplant, could also successfully support patients long term who are not candidates for heart transplantation due to advanced age or other medical conditions. It has been proven that these pumps provide a much improved quality and quantity of life”.

Ned Smith returns to Lankenau Hospital for periodic check ups with Dr. Samuels, Dr. Droogan, and VAD Nurse Practitioner Elena Casanova-Ghosh, who say his prognosis is good and he will be able to live with the pump for many years. Dr. Droogan recalls, “It took Ned time to accept that Destination Therapy was what he needed; and when it became clear this was his only option he said, ‘Alright doc, let’s get’er done.’”

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