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Cardiac Surgery News
   

 

Strong Heart and Vascular Center

Division of Cardiac Surgery

Heart Assist Devices

Each year approximately 400,000 Americans are diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF). Due to the shortage of donor hearts, heart assist devices are often used to keep patients alive while they wait for a heart transplant. Our surgeons treat congestive heart failure by surgically implanting heart assist devices to assume the majority of the heart's pumping function. This allows the heart to rest, heal and grow before the patient undergoes transplant surgery.

Here are some of the types of devices we use at the Strong Heart and Vascular Center to assist your heart:

  • Pacemakers - Pacemakers correct the malfunctions that cause irregular heartbeats. By sending electrical signals to the heart, pacemakers restore regular heart rhythm.

  • Ventricular Assist Device (VADs) - VADs are devices that are implanted into the chest cavity to assist the heart to circulate blood.

  • Artifical Heart Pumps - Artifical heart pumps, also called ABIOCOR TAH, are meant as a permanent replacement. The TAH is placed where the heart is located and the heart is excised. This device completely takes over the function of the heart.

  • Wrap - When a patient’s heart is stretched and weak, we place a tight bag around it for extra support. This allows the heart to open and close with each heartbeat without risk of stretching too far or rupturing.

Critical Care Transport Service

Everyday, paramedics face difficult challenges in transporting extremely sick patients between hospitals. To decrease potential risks for critically-ill cardiac, burn and trauma patients while en route, Strong Health has introduced a Critical Care Transport Service to the Greater Rochester region. This is a service for adult patients. Learn more about the Adult Critical Care Transport Service

Learn more about critical care transport service available for children

Contact Us

For more information about heart assist devices, or to refer a patient, please call us at 585-275-5384.