Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure, which occurs when the heart loses its ability to pump enough blood through the body, is common.

An estimated five million people in the United States are currently diagnosed with congestive heart failure. And, an additional 550,000 people are diagnosed, and about 250,000 deaths are attributed to CHF and related causes in the United States each year.

CHF also is one of the most common reasons why people over the age of 65 are admitted to the hospital. Cases have increased in the past few decades, with experts predicting that the trend will continue as the population ages.

Today, despite available therapies, the prognosis for patients with NYHA Class III and Class IV congestive heart failure is dismal. Nearly 40 percent of these CHF patients will die within 12 months following their initial hospital admission for CHF. The quality of life of the survivors is poor and deteriorates, characterized by problems with physical strength and stamina, shortness of breath and fluid retention.

The annual hospital admission rate for heart failure patients, including less severe NYHA Class I and Class II CHF patients, is more than 40 percent and 24 percent are admitted two or more times each year. In addition, each admission is costly to the hospital, which loses an average of $3,100 per patient.

SVR - An Alternative for Severe Congestive Heart Failure Patients

The initial candidates for the SVR operation are the most serious cardiac cases, those classified as New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III and Class IV CHF patients with dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy due to a prior myocardial infarction, or heart attack, involving the anterior wall of the left ventricle.

Current treatment options that include drug therapy, life style changes and heart transplants, currently are limited and mortality is significant. The three-year follow-up results from 1,113 NYHA Class III and Class IV CHF patients treated with SVR indicate significantly improved survival and hospital readmission rates.

At Somanetics, we believe patients who undergo SVR with the CorRestore System will have greatly improved quality of life and a reduced chance of repeated hospitalizations for heart failure.

CHF Web Sites

It is beyond the scope of this web site to provide comprehensive information about congestive heart failure. We can refer you to some excellent sites that do provide vital information about congestive heart failure causes and treatments.

Link to:
American Heart Association
Heart Failure Society of America
CHF Patients.com (Formerly Jon's Place)

Click here for more information about the CorRestore System.

Click here for more information about SVR with the CorRestore System.

Click here for SVR References.

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