A small, implantable device that helps the heart pump blood works equally well for men and women but may benefit twice as many women awaiting transplants, researchers reported at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2007.“The fact that we have a technology where the outcomes in women are equal to men is important,” said Roberta C. Bogaev, M.D., lead author of the study and medical director of heart failure and cardiac transplantation at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston. “Historically, because of their size, such devices have been unavailable to women of small stature. Now that we have a pump about the size of a D battery, it will allow us to expand mechanical circulatory support options to more women.”
