Margarita Camacho, MD, and Mark J. Zucker, MD, JD, Barnabas Heart Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center describe the alternative option of a C-Pulse heart assist device when dealing with heart failure. The C-Pulse system can be implanted in three different ways: a standard full sternotomy, parasternal incision, or partial sternotomy, all of which are less invasive than a conventional heart operation. Like other operations, the C-Pulse does run the risk of infection, though it minimizes the risk of clotting, and is a much more simple device than others like the Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) in terms of both implantation and usage.

Disclosures:

Margarita Camacho, MD

Consulting Fees: C-Pulse/Sunshine Heart

Mark J. Zucker, MD, JD

Consulting Fees: C-Pulse/Sunshine Heart