Re: heart failure

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD-APS on June 23, 1998 at 23:03:12:

In Reply to: heart failure posted by Craig on June 17, 1998 at 11:37:53:






I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy about 11 years ago.  I originally was implanted with a pacemaker, and about four years ago I had to have a defribulator implanted.  About a month ago I was diagnosed with  congestive heart failure.  I am interested in the Batista Procedure or the immune globulin treatment that was used on potential heart transplant patients at the U. of Pittsburg hospital.  I am also interested in any other surgeries or procedures that might correct my illness..



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Dear Craig,
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for your illness nor for any form of
cardiomyopathy.  The Batista procedure is essentially a surgical removal of
part of the left ventricle (main pumping chamber of the heart) with a repair
type procedure on the mitral valve support structure called the annulus.  There
are certain selection criteria that help the heart failure team to decide
if there is potential benefit for any given patient.  At the Cleveland Clinic
we are currently only doing the Batista on patients with cardiomyopathy that is
of any cause but ischemic (cardiomyopathy due to multiple heart attacks.)  
Although you are a potential candidate for Batsista, you are not a candidate for
the immune globulin treatment protocol  called IMAC which rrequires that patients
present with their cardiomyopathy as new (within the past 4 months.)  Other than
transplant, Batista, and medical therapy, there is little else out there available to
the symptomatic heart failure patient.  Good Luck.  Information provided in the heart forum is intended for general informational
purposes only, actual diagnosis and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).