Managing Heart Failure: Cardiac Contractility Modulation Therapy
Heart failure affects nearly 6.7 million adults in the U.S. and often requires lifelong management for the best possible outcome. Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) therapy may be an option for those living with heart failure whose conditions are not responding to other treatments.
CCM is available from Hunterdon Cardiovascular Associates and is performed by the electrophysiologists at The Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Electrophysiology at HCA. Here’s more about how this treatment works and how to contact HCA to find out whether this option is right for you.
What Is Cardiac Contractility Modulation Therapy?
CCM is a treatment option for people diagnosed with moderate to severe heart failure. It is typically recommended when medications and other implantable devices like defibrillators and pacemakers do not reduce symptoms or provide relief.
CCM therapy increases the strength of the heart’s contractions by delivering strong and carefully timed electrical pulses to the heart. This helps boost the circulation of blood and oxygen all throughout the body, which can greatly reduce symptoms of heart failure. CCM is shown to boost quality of life, increase activity levels, and reduce mortality rates in people with heart failure, reports a study in the International Journal of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention.
Heart Failure Treatment
Traditional treatments for heart failure include medications, heart valve repair, coronary bypass surgery, and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), among many others. Unfortunately, many patients with heart failure are unable to find relief from these treatments. CCM is a viable alternative for those who want to return to their normal activity levels and benefit from a reduction in symptoms.
Who Is a Candidate for Cardiac Contractility Modulation Therapy?
Ideal candidates for CCM are people with moderate to severe heart failure and people with heart failure whose conditions are not responding to other treatments. It may also be ideal for those whose quality of life is being greatly affected by their condition—especially when symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chronic cough, and nausea make it difficult or nearly impossible to perform everyday activities.
How Is CCM Performed?
CCM is a minimally invasive procedure that produces minimal scarring, minimal downtime, and fewer complications than open heart surgery. It is typically performed under light sedation.
The small implantable device used in CCM is surgically placed just under the skin on the upper part of the chest. It has electrical leads that are carefully threaded into the veins and through the right heart ventricle, which allow it to deliver precisely timed pulses. The device is programmed specifically for you based on your condition and delivers pulses to the heart during one-hour treatment sessions scheduled at various times throughout the day.
If you are interested in learning more about CCM, contact Hunterdon Cardiovascular Associates at (908) 788-1710 to find out whether you’re an ideal candidate. If so, we can connect you with the electrophysiologists at The Center for Atrial Fibrillation and Electrophysiology at HCA to discuss the next best steps.
HCA is committed to providing the highest quality of care in a patient-centered environment. Our offices are conveniently located in Flemington, Clinton, and Bridgewater. We also have subspecialty offices available to ensure our patients receive the proper care for their condition.
