Arizona Heart Hospital Researcher Presents Heart Failure Study At National Cardiology Conference

by Lori Baker | Mar 18, 2015

Arizona Heart Hospital’s research study findings about treating severe heart failure were presented this week at the American College of Cardiology national conference.

PHOENIX (March 18, 2015) – Arizona Heart Hospital’s research study findings about treating severe heart failure were presented this week at the American College of Cardiology national conference. Dr. Vijay Swarup, an electrophysiologist on staff at Arizona Heart Hospital, is principal investigator for the HOPE4HF heart failure study which began in 2012 in partnership with Arizona Heart Rhythm Center. Dr. Venkatesh Ramaiah, a vascular surgeon, and Dr. Robert Strumpf, an interventional cardiologist, also participated in the study. They both are Arizona Heart Hospital physicians.Swarup was among the team of physicians who shared results March 16 at the American College of Cardiology 2015 Featured Clinical Research Session in San Diego, Calif. The accompanying manuscript, “Baroreflex Activation Therapy for the Treatment of Heart Failure with a Reduced Ejection Fraction,” was published in JACC Heart Failure Journal. This multi-center heart failure study showed that the implanted Barostim neo device manufactured by CVRx improves functional status, quality of life, exercise capacity, and possibly the rate of heart failure hospitalization in heart failure patients, Swarup said.DeWayne Hutchins, 63, was the first patient to have the device implanted at Arizona Heart Hospital as part of the study in May 2013. Before he had the device implanted, Hutchins said he was very weak and could hardly walk across the room. The Phoenix resident said his blood pressure was very low because a heart attack 18 years ago left him with only one-fourth of his heart functioning. “It has been life changing for me. The device worked immediately after I had it implanted at Arizona Heart Hospital and my blood pressure was brought up to a normal level,’’ Hutchins said. “I am not out of breath after walking a few steps. I feel stronger and much younger.’’Arizona Heart Hospital has had the most patients participate in this CVRx Heart Failure study in the United States and globally, according to Amy Jo Erickson, CVRx senior clinical data associate. “As a facility we are glad to have the opportunity of researching this type of technology to further the field of cardiology,” said Arizona Heart Hospital President Stephen Harris

According to the Center for Disease Control:

• About 5.1 million American adults have congestive heart.
• One in nine deaths includes heart failure as contributing cause.
• About half of people who develop heart failure die within five years of diagnosis.
• Heart failure costs the nation an estimated $32 billion each year. This total includes the cost of health care services, medications to treat heart failure, and missed days of work.

This heart failure study is one of several clinical studies being conducted at Arizona Heart Hospital. With skilled physicians, state-of-the-art equipment and innovative techniques, Arizona Heart is at the forefront of identifying innovative solutions and utilizing research to attack and overcome heart and vascular disease. Areas of specialty include cardiac ablations treatment for arrhythmia disease, structural heart disease treatments such as valve replacement surgery; and a Vascular Fellowship.

Arizona Heart Hospital has received several awards including recognition as one of Truven Top 50 hospitals for Heart Care and it ranked among the top of Tenet’s 80 hospitals for quality and growth.

About Abrazo HealthThe Abrazo system includes six acute care hospitals: Arizona Heart Hospital, Arrowhead Hospital, Maryvale Hospital, Paradise Valley Hospital, Phoenix Baptist Hospital and West Valley Hospital. In addition, the system consists of two emergency centers: North Peoria Emergency Center and West Valley Emergency Center; Abrazo Medical Group; Phoenix Health Plans; and School-Based Health Centers. Visit AbrazoHealth.com.

Disclaimer: Dr. Vijay Swarup is an independent physician and is not an employee, agent or representative of Abrazo Health’s Arizona Heart Hospital. He is solely responsible for the provision of his medical services to patients.