MercyOne performs its first implantation of Barostim device to treat advanced heart failure

In late December, MercyOne Iowa Heart Center and MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center successfully performed its first implantation of the CVRx Barostim device for advanced heart failure.

“This represents a huge step forward in improving care for patients with advanced heart failure,” said Akrivi Manola, MD, a cardiologist with MercyOne Iowa Heart Center’s Advanced Heart Failure Clinic. “This achievement reflects the incredible collaboration and dedication across multiple teams.” 

Advanced heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood throughout the body causing severe shortness of breath and fatigue. When the heart struggles to pump blood effectively, this can cause a stress response in the brain forcing the heart to work even harder.

Advanced heart failure treatments include medications, lifestyle, and diet changes like fluid and sodium restrictions. If these changes aren’t enough, additional therapies may be needed to bring symptoms under control.   

Barostim is one of those therapies. It’s an implantable device designed to help improve quality of life and reduce symptoms for those living with heart failure. Barostim works by applying gentle electrical pulses to special receptors in the carotid artery which signal the brain to reduce the stress response.

The procedure is usually performed in an outpatient setting and takes about an hour. Most patients will go home on the same day.

The MercyOne Iowa Heart Center advanced heart failure team will evaluate patients for implantation and manage both the patient and the device. The MercyOne vascular surgery team performs the implantation.

To learn more about Barostim and other advanced heart failure therapies, visit https://www.mercyone.org/location/mercyone-iowa-heart-advanced-heart-failure-clinic.