Cincinnati (August 22, 2019) – The Christ Hospital Health Network is among the first hospitals in the United States, and first in Ohio, to begin enrolling patients in a clinical trial evaluating an investigational minimally invasive therapy for patients who suffer from heart failure – a condition in which the muscles of the heart are weak and lose their ability to adequately pump enough oxygen-rich blood to the body.

 

An estimated 6.5 million U.S. adults live with heart failure and suffer from debilitating symptoms including persistent exhaustion, trouble breathing, confusion and loss of memory. There is no cure for heart failure, and up to 50 percent of people who develop heart failure die within five years of diagnosis.  
 
Ancora Heart’s AccuCinch procedure is the first therapy of its kind designed to repair the left ventricle of the heart directly, to address the fundamental issue in the progression of systolic heart failure. Systolic heart failure is the result of the left ventricle losing its ability to contract normally and the heart is unable to push enough blood to the rest of the body. The minimally invasive procedure is designed to reduce the size of the left ventricle, improve left ventricular function, and reduce symptoms of heart failure, with the goal of improving quality of life for patients.

 

Dr. Dean Kereiakes and Dr. Satya Shreenivas, who are National Co-PI’s for this trial, performed the first two AccuCinch procedures in Ohio today. Both procedures were successful and both patients are doing very well.

 

“The AccuCinch System is a breakthrough treatment option to manage symptoms and to slow, or stop, the progression of heart failure,” said Dr. Kereiakes, Medical Director of The Christ Hospital Heart and Vascular Center, Medical Director of the Christ Hospital Research Institute, and Professor of Clinical Medicine at Ohio State University. “The initial clinical data suggests that AccuCinch has the potential to stop and even reverse enlargement of the left ventricle. We are excited to have this “first in class” treatment at The Christ Hospital”.  Said Satya Shreenivas, Co-Principle Investigator for the trial and interventional cardiologist at The Christ Hospital: “This procedure has the promise of halting the progression of heart failure and reducing the need for mechanical cardiac support devices or heart transplant, without surgery.

 

During the AccuCinch procedure, an implant is placed into the left ventricular wall, just below the mitral valve. Once properly positioned, the implant is then cinched tight and secured in place. Once cinched, the AccuCinch implant is intended to reduce the size of the left ventricle, as well as support and strengthen the heart wall. Early clinical data suggests AccuCinch may address the shortcomings of current heart failure treatments, providing a new option for patients that improves heart function and slows disease progression.

 

 

About The Christ Hospital Health Network: The Christ Hospital Health Network is an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn with six ambulatory centers and dozens of offices conveniently located throughout the region. More than 1,200 talented physicians and 6,100 dedicated employees support the Network. Its mission is to improve the health of the community and to create patient value by providing exceptional outcomes, the finest experiences, all in an affordable way. The Network has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as the 24th best large employer in the nation in the magazine’s “America’s 500 Best Large Employers” listing and by National Consumer Research as the region’s “Most Preferred Hospital.” The Network is dedicated to transforming care by delivering integrated, personalized healthcare through its comprehensive, multi-specialty physician network. The Christ Hospital is among only eight percent of hospitals in the nation to be awarded “Magnet” recognition for nursing excellence and among the top five percent of hospitals in the country for patient satisfaction. For more than 125 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves.

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