AUSTIN, Texas - (August 6, 2008) - Seton Medical Center Austin, was among the first in the nation to implant a COGNIS™ cardiac resynchronization defibrillator (CRT-D). This advanced device is used to treat heart failure, a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough oxygen-carrying blood to meet the body's needs.
Javier Sanchez, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist with Texas
Cardiovascular Consultants, P.A., implanted the device on
Tuesday, August 5.
"This patient, who has a thin chest wall and small frame, will
greatly benefit from the unique attributes of this new device
-- its small size, thin profile, and lighter weight," said Dr.
Sanchez. "With other types of devices, I would have had to cut
through the patient's muscle to implant the device, but because
of the COGNIS CRT-D's small size, I was able to implant it just
underneath the patient's skin."
The COGNIS CRT-D is the smallest, thinnest high-energy CRT-D in
the world, and offers increased longevity and an independent
battery back-up system. Benefits to patients include greater
comfort and reduced risk of infection due to a smaller
incision.
This device represents an entirely new platform to treat heart
failure and is the result of a multi-year research and
development effort by Boston Scientific to provide physicians
enhanced clinical options for their patients.
Key features of the COGNIS CRT-D include:
• SmartDelay™ - quickly proposes programmable device settings,
which enables physicians to tailor individualized pacing
therapy for their patients
• Bi-V Trigger - helps physicians manage heart failure patients
with frequent atrial arrhythmias
• Electronic Repositioning™ - provides physicians with six
configurations for stimulating the left side of the heart even
after implant, which may help avoid an additional surgical
procedure
• Size - only 9.9 mm wide compared to other devices that
measure 15 mm
Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the