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Penn State Hershey enrolling patients in heart device study

Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is one of 60 centers chosen to evaluate the Thoratec® HeartMate III Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), in the MOMENTUM III Clinical Trial. The MOMENTUM III trial is expected to enroll more than 1,000 patients nationwide.

The HeartMate III LVAD is an implantable mechanical device that helps circulate blood throughout the body. Sometimes called a “heart pump,” it is designed to supplement the pumping function of the heart for patients whose hearts are too weak to pump blood adequately on their own. The fully magnetically levitated (Full MagLev) flow technology foundation is designed to lower complications, and is compact in size for easier surgical placement. The MOMENTUM III Clinical Trial is designed to evaluate the performance and safety of the HeartMate III at six months of LVAD support in subjects with advanced heart failure.

Nearly six million people in the U.S. are afflicted with congestive heart failure. Of these, more than 250,000 are advanced cases.

For more information about the MOMENTUM III Clinical Trial, call the study coordinator at 717-531-5967. (Media should contact Matthew Solovey; see contact info above.)

About HeartMate III

The Thoratec HeartMate III LVAS is an investigational chronic mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device intended for a broad range of advanced heart failure patients. HeartMate III is designed to restore blood flow, improve survival, functional status, and quality of life. The device is being evaluated for use as a long-term support option (years) for patients who are not candidates for cardiac transplantation (also known as Destination Therapy). It is also being evaluated for short-term support options (months), for patients awaiting transplantation (Bridge-to-Transplantation).

* Caution: Investigational Device: Limited by Federal United States law to investigational use.

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