Life-Changing VAD Therapy Close to Home In 2013, Cone Health created the Mechanical Circulatory Support Program to provide surgically implanted ventricular assist devices (VADs) for patients with advanced heart failure. A VAD, or mechanical heart pump, is a lifesaving measure for patients who have become unresponsive to other medical interventions. It can serve as a bridge to heart transplant surgery or as a lifelong treatment. “With VAD therapy, we can treat patients who have severe heart failure and have been struggling to complete their ordinary activities,” says Daniel Bensimhon, MD, medical director of the Cone Health Advanced Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program. A multidisciplinary team, including board-certified heart failure cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, identifies patients who are good candidates for the treatment. VAD coordinators work with patients to help them understand the disease and their treatment options. Once a VAD is implanted, the patient receives long-term follow-up care through the Advanced Heart Failure Program. Mechanical Circulatory Support 36 CONE HEALTH | HEART AND VASCULAR CENTER Exceptional Heart Care. Every Day.™ • The Cone Health Heart and Vascular Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for its VAD therapy program. • Moses Cone Hospital was the first nontransplant hospital in North Carolina to offer VAD therapy. • In addition to cardiovascular specialists, our multidisciplinary team includes pharmacists, clinical social workers and a nurse navigator who help to ensure that our heart failure patients get the best comprehensive care. • Five-star rating from Healthgrades for treatment of heart failure (2018). • Rated High Performing in heart failure treatment, U.S. News and World Report (2017-18). Patient Outcomes: Jimmy Fuqua has refereed high school and college basketball in North Carolina for well over 40 years. “WhenIwentoutonthecourtthatwasmylife,”he says. “IthoughttheLordgavemesomeextraabilityto refereeandIwastryingtoserve.Ienjoyedeveryminuteofitandtheheartattackiswhatbroughtmeoff thecourt.” After a diagnosis of end-stage heart disease, Fuqua received the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) at Moses Cone Hospital in January 2015. “To understand how a patient can regain their function, regain their strength, following surgery is something you really have to see to believe,” says Fuqua's surgeon, Peter Van Trigt, MD. Referee legend thrives with VAD heart pump — Vivian Barber CONE HEALTH | THE NETWORK FOR EXCEPTIONAL CARE 33 Watch a video about Jimmy at conehealth.com/heart "I didn't think I'd get to referee anymore. The VAD is the best thing that ever happened.” -Jimmy Fuqua with Peter Van Trigt, MD Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) In 2018, the Heart and Vascular Center will begin offering ECMO, a temporary cardiopulmonary bypass mechanical system. It provides breathing and heart support for patients who suffer from cardiogenic shock due to severe heart failure or massive heart attacks. This new technology has been shown to save lives in our sickest patients. 37