SEATTLE, March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Jon Pettibon of University Place, Wash., arrived at the University of Washington Regional Heart Center "near death" after suffering a heart attack. Pettibon was previously treated at another hospital where doctors had placed a stent to open up one of the major arteries supplying his heart. Pettibon was now considered a high-risk patient with few alternatives. He is alive today thanks to a device called the TandemHeart System from CardiacAssist (www.cardiacassist.com).
A 50-year old chiropractor, Pettibon was active and healthy before suffering his first heart attack. Doctors at the University of Washington Medical Center were able to use the advanced, heart-assisting technology of the TandemHeart System to pump his blood, supply vital nutrients to his organs and get him through his crisis - without an operation.
"The TandemHeart is a unique device that provides minimally invasive cardiac assistance," said Dr. Chris Salerno, assistant professor of surgery at University of Washington Medical Center. "At our institution, we have successfully used it to recover patients in cardiogenic shock, following acute myocardial infarctions and to support patients during high-risk coronary interventions."
The TandemHeart System acts as a mini heart pump that can be rapidly deployed in 20 to 30 minutes to support the patient's blood flow and vital organs during delicate surgeries. The device sits on the patient's thigh, and tubes are is inserted through the skin into the femoral artery and femoral vein, circulating blood bypassing the heart, allowing the device to take over most of the heart's pumping function while cardiac procedures -- such as opening blocked arteries or bypass surgery -- are performed.
Back at his home near Tacoma, Pettibon is doing well and has resumed his active lifestyle.
UW Medical Center is currently the only hospital in Seattle actively using the TandemHeart System. To date, more than 500 uses of the system in 28 countries at 70 different facilities by 120 different physicians have been performed.
"By working with outstanding heart centers such as UW Medical Center, we've been able to reach a new level of acceptance," said Michael Garippa, president and CEO of CardiacAssist. "The TandemHeart System's superior flow rate, minimal complications, and the speed with which it can be delivered to critically ill patients without traumatic surgery will continue to increase this device's presence in heart centers in this country and abroad."
The TandemHeart System is the only percutaneous ventricular assist device that can deliver up to 5.0 lpm cleared by the FDA for sale in the U.S. The TandemHeart System is fully reimbursed by Medicare under existing DRG codes. The device can be placed rapidly in the cath lab or operating room, providing effective, reliable temporary circulatory support for critically ill patients.
About University of Washington Medical Center
The 450-bed UW Medical Center is widely regarded as one of the nation's top medical centers, as reflected in surveys of best hospitals, best doctors and nursing excellence. UWMC was ranked ninth among teaching hospitals in the nation last year by U.S. News & World Report. In addition, UW Medical Center is the leading provider of highly specialized care of patients and consulting services to physicians in the five-state region known as WWAMI --Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho -- served by the UW School of Medicine.
About CardiacAssist
Founded in 1996, CardiacAssist, Inc. is a privately held, Pittsburgh-based medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets innovative products designed to provide cardiologists and cardiac surgeons with minimally invasive solutions for treating weakened and failing hearts. Its vision is to help advance the treatment of heart disease by bridging gaps in current treatment methodologies.
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that relate to CardiacAssist's future business and financial performance. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual events or future results to differ from those discussed herein.
Dan Snyders Armada Medical Marketing 303-623-1190 x230 dan@armadamedical.com
CardiacAssist, Inc.CONTACT: Dan Snyders for CardiacAssist, +1-303-623-1190 x230 ordan@armadamedical.com
Web site: http://www.tandemheart.com//
