News Unique Heart Helpers

AUSTIN, TX - (April 22, 2009) - The Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center at Seton Medical Center Austin, recently received its Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Destination Therapy certification from The Joint Commission.

This certification was achieved the first time the Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center applied for the designation.

Out of the 500 patients that are seen in the clinic, 325 are seen for heart failure and currently six of those individuals are living with a VAD. These VADs are essentially mechanical pumps and help a heart that is too weak to pump blood through the body. The VAD is sometimes referred to as "a bridge to transplant" since it often can help a patient survive until a heart transplant can be performed.

"This is an extraordinary achievement for our transplant program and central Texas," said Dr. William (Bill) Kessler, Surgical VAD Director of Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center. "Destination therapy stands to revolutionize advanced heart failure management, allowing individuals who are not transplant candidates better and longer lives."

Surveyors commended the program and staff for its "great patient-centered care" and creating an environment that "felt like family."

Seton Medical Center Austin has the only heart transplant center and VAD program in Central Texas.

One of the Center's patients currently on a VAD is Floyd Salinas from Lubbock. Salinas came to Austin in October 2008 after suffering several heart attacks that permanently damaged his heart and resulted in congestive heart failure.

Earlier this year, Salinas received the Heartmate II, the latest VAD approved by the Federal Drug and Administration. "Over the years the devices are getting smaller, easier to put in, patient-friendly, requiring less maintenance, and lasting longer," said Dr. Mike Mueller, Surgical Director, Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center."

This portable device, possessing the latest innovations in VAD design, has helped Salinas with his breathing and has allowed him to return home to family while waiting for a heart transplant.

Prior to his departure, Erin August, RN BSN and Seton's VAD Outreach Coordinator, traveled to Lubbock where she conducted a 2 day intensive training seminar for Lubbock's hospital staff, EMS, and the physicians caring for Salinas. As stated by Erin August RN BSN VAD Outreach Coordinator

"It was so worthwhile and fulfilling to pass the torch to another medical center so eager to become yet another part of his care team," said Erin August RN BSN VAD Outreach Coordinator. "It also demonstrates the long term objective of the technology by letting the patient have a better quality of life not only by increased activity but by also being able to do all the things they enjoy within the comfort of their own home no matter where the patients 'homes' are."

The Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center at Seton Medical Center Austin touches hundreds of lives, like Floyd Salinas. Congratulations go to the Center's team on their Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Destination Therapy certification from The Joint Commission and for the life-saving care and services they provide.