Lankenau Heart Institute at Bryn Mawr Hospital is first in Pennsylvania to treat heart failure patients using breakthrough CCM therapy
Innovative minimally-invasive therapy is proven to help people with heart failure feel better
Lankenau Heart Institute at Bryn Mawr Hospital, part of Main Line Health, is among the first in the United States and the only in Pennsylvania to use CCM™ (cardiac contractility modulation) therapy, delivered by the Optimizer® Smart system, to treat patients suffering from heart failure. Heart failure is a progressive condition with debilitating symptoms that can severely limit the quality of life for heart failure patients. The first patient implant was performed by Sheetal Chandhok, MD, electrophysiologist, in collaboration with Christopher Droogan, DO, heart failure cardiologist, both with Lankenau Heart Institute.
CCM therapy is a new, FDA-approved treatment that works differently than medications to help people with heart failure feel better. The approach is proven to improve the quality of life for patients that are no longer adequately responding to medications to manage symptoms or slow the progression of heart failure. The innovative pacing-based therapy is the first of its kind intended to improve the contraction of the heart, allowing more oxygen-rich blood to reach the body. CCM therapy sends precisely timed electrical pulses to the heart that are intended to improve the heart’s ability to contract and can be used in conjunction with medications and other heart failure therapies.
“We are thrilled to provide CCM therapy to our patients because of the potentially life-changing benefits,” says Dr. Chandhok. “Medications are not always enough to help slow the progression of heart failure and improve the quality of life for patients. CCM therapy is a breakthrough treatment option that gives reason for many people suffering from heart failure to feel hopeful again. It has shown the potential of improving heart failure and reducing hospitalizations.”
Heart failure, a condition in which the heart slowly weakens and is not able to adequately supply oxygen-rich blood, affects an estimated 6.5 million Americans. Heart failure patients often experience symptoms that can significantly diminish their quality of life, such as breathlessness, fatigue, confusion and swelling in the legs that make everyday activities challenging. Today, most heart failure patients are prescribed medications intended to slow the progression of the disease and manage their symptoms. As the condition progresses, these treatments lose their effectiveness and the quality of life for heart failure patients will continue to decline.
“Many people suffering from heart failure have few effective options to help them feel better,” says Dr. Droogan, who serves as the medical director of the Heart Failure Program at Main Line Health. “I’m thankful that we are able to offer CCM therapy, as this unique treatment option is designed to improve the heart’s ability to contract and improve patients’ symptoms of shortness of breath and lack of energy.”
CCM therapy may be an appropriate option for up to 70-percent of NYHA Class III (a classification of heart symptoms) heart failure patients who continue to experience symptoms despite taking the optimal heart failure medications for their condition. CCM therapy was developed by Impulse Dynamics, based in Mount Laurel, N.J. Visit impulse-dynamics.com to learn more about the company.
About Main Line Health
Founded in 1985, Main Line Health is a not-for-profit health system serving Philadelphia and its suburbs. Main Line Health's commitment — to deliver safe, high-quality, equitable and affordable care for treating and curing disease, playing an important role in prevention and disease management, as well as training physicians and other health care providers — reflects our intent to be the region's premier choice for clinical care, research, and education. A team of more than 13,000 employees and over 3,500 employed and independent physicians and advanced practice providers care for patients throughout Main Line Health.
At Main Line Health's core are four of the region's most respected acute care hospitals — Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital — as well as one of the nation's premier facilities for rehabilitative medicine, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.
Main Line Health also includes Mirmont Treatment Center for drug and alcohol recovery; Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice, which includes skilled home health care, hospice and home infusion services; Main Line Health Centers, primary and specialty care, lab and radiology, and other outpatient services located in Broomall, Collegeville, Concordville, Exton, King of Prussia and Newtown Square; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a biomedical research organization; and Main Line HealthCare, one of the region's largest multispecialty physician networks.
Main Line Health is the recipient of numerous awards for quality care and service, including the prestigious American Hospital Association Quest for Quality Prize, highest tier ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Overall Hospital Quality and systemwide recognition in the 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals rankings. Main Line Health is committed to creating an environment of diversity, respect, equity and inclusion, has proudly received awards in this area and has embraced the American Hospital Association's #123forEquity Pledge to Act to eliminate disparities in care. We are dedicated to advancing patient-centered care, education and research to help patients stay healthy and live their best lives.
For more information, visit mainlinehealth.org and connect with us on social media:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/main-line-health
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mainlinehealth
X (formerly known as Twitter): www.twitter.com/mainlinehealth
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mainlinehealth
About Lankenau Heart Institute
The Lankenau Heart Institute is Main Line Health's premier comprehensive cardiovascular medicine and surgery program. Lankenau Heart Institute brings together the clinical expertise of all four Main Line Health acute care hospitals and both the employed and community cardiology practices to ensure that patients receive a level of quality, service and experience that is unparalleled in the region. Through the systemwide coordination of services, Lankenau Heart Institute delivers preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative cardiovascular services at each of our locations including Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital.
Lankenau Heart Institute continues to be an innovator in the use of beating-heart techniques and robotic-assisted procedures for coronary artery revascularization, minimally invasive and transcatheter approaches for valve repair and replacement, complex aortic surgery and heart rhythm disorders. With our growing experience and focus on minimally invasive techniques, Lankenau Heart Institute has expanded participation in clinical trials year after year. Our physicians are frequently invited to participate in clinical/medical device trials, many of which are designed to facilitate the use of minimally invasive approaches and procedures.
With a collaborative team of expert consultative cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and specially trained advance practice nurses and technologists, Lankenau Heart Institute is dedicated to managing and treating patients with simple to complex cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, aortic disease, coronary and peripheral vascular disease, lipid and genetic abnormalities, heart rhythm disorders and valve disease. Our team of cardiologists and cardiac and vascular specialists provide patients and their families with expert cardiovascular care, close to home.