On Nov. 18, the heart failure and transplantation team at Emory University Hospital (EUH) made history, performing the first-ever surgical implantation in the United States of a brand-new type of ventricular assist device (VAD), which provides crucial care to patients with failing hearts. An expert team led by veteran cardiothoracic surgeon Mani Daneshmand, MD, successfully implanted a novel magnetically levitated pump, a VAD that has been specifically designed for patient ease and long-term health.
The BrioVAD System, made by BrioHealth Solutions Inc., was authorized by the FDA to begin clinical trials earlier this year. Emory became the first site enrolled in the trial to perform the procedure.
As part of the INNOVATE clinical trial, Emory will participate in gathering data on patient experience with the device, joined by other leading medical institutions across the country, including Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Duke University and University of Chicago. The entry criteria for joining the study were rigorous. Emory qualified because of its high quality and extensive VAD experience.
Emory has long led Metro Atlanta and the region in number and success rate of VAD implantations. Since the program began, Emory Healthcare has completed almost 1,000 VAD implants between EUH and Emory St. Joseph's Hospital.
We're honored to be the first implanting site in this study. The BrioVAD is a promising heart assist pump, designed from the ground up with focus on patient safety and quali.