BUFFALO, N.Y. — It is considered groundbreaking technology in Buffalo when it comes to heart health.
Cardiac Contractility Modulation Therapy (CCM) is a device that can be implanted in patients. There are two wires implanted in the heart and connected to a generator that gets placed in the upper right or left chest area. The generator produces energy that helps to squeeze the heart more forcibly during a normal beat.
CCM therapy has helped patients get back to living a normal life without suffering from debilitating symptoms of congestive heart failure.
Dr. Chee Kim of Kaleida Health and Dr. Zachary Lill of Catholic Health System have been leaders in WNY to offer this therapy to their patients.
Dr. Lill said "It works similar to a pacemaker, but there are noticeable differences. It delivers more energy during a different part of the heart's electrical cycle and leads to a stronger squeeze if you will."
Dr. Kim said once a patient gets the device, "within a few weeks they really don't have any restrictions and they start to feel better within hours of actually having the device" implanted.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 6.2 million people in the United States are affected by heart failure.
The Impulse Dynamics Optimizer Smart Mini – a device approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2019 has been a lifesaver for some patients.
Both doctors joined Claudine Ewing on The 5:30 on Channel 2. You can watch the entire interview.