St. Bernards Receives Federal Approval for Artificial Heart Pump Surgery
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently certified the Advanced Heart Surgery Program at St. Bernards Medical Center to implant artificial heart pumps on patients with advanced heart failure.
The pumps, known as left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), pump blood throughout the body, rather than relying upon a failing heart. LVAD technology offers a treatment option for heart failure previously unavailable in Northeast Arkansas. In fact, the program at St. Bernards is one of three programs in Arkansas and the first program outside of Little Rock to receive CMS certification.
Cardiovascular Surgeon Dr. Jay K. Bhama has performed this type of surgery for more than 15 years. He helped St. Bernards establish the program and will perform the surgical implants.
“Our patients previously traveled out of state to have their devices implanted and receive ongoing care,” Dr. Bhama said. “We can ease that burden, giving them access to advanced support options for heart failure right here in northeast Arkansas.”
The Heart Restoration Team at St. Bernards assesses candidates for the implantable heart pumps before managing clinical needs after the implant. This multidisciplinary team includes trained nurses, nurse practitioners, coordinators, social workers and physicians. These physicians, trained in both advanced heart failure and cardiac electrophysiology, will work closely with Dr. Bhama to provide patients the best possible care.
Dr. Bhama said the urgency behind the program stems from the epidemic of heart failure throughout the south-central region of the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), eastern Arkansas has the highest death rates from heart failure per 100,000 persons in Arkansas¹. In Northeast Arkansas, specifically, Lawrence County sits at number one (430.9), followed by Greene County at number two (373.2). Sharp (341.5) and Jackson (335.6) counties following closely, at numbers five and six. The overall Arkansas rate is 235.6, the sixth highest rate in the U.S.
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¹ National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion - https://nccd.cdc.gov/DHDSPAtlas/
