DMC Sinai-Grace Cardiologist First in Michigan to Surgically Implant New Life-Saving Device
DETROIT -- DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital has become the first hospital in Michigan to successfully resynchronize a patient's heartbeat using a breakthrough pacemaking device.
The new Unify Quadra cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator, recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, is the smallest pacemaking device and the only quadripolar -- four-electrode -- pacing system available. Using four electrodes instead of the usual two enables more pacing configurations and reduces common problems associated with implantable defibrillator systems. Ultimately this results in fewer surgeries for patients.
The 30-minute procedure, conducted Thursday by DMC Sinai-Grace's Chief of Cardiology Mukarram Siddiqui, M.D., was successful in synchronizing the patients heart chambers and replaces a pacemaker system installed 4 years ago.
"Today a patient with a long history of heart problems is benefiting from a new device that will help his heart beat more efficiently, while reducing his need for revisions and chance of complications," Siddiqui said.
The new device's narrower shape allows physicians to implant the system using a smaller incision with shorter surgery time. The multiple electrode pacing lead will allow the physician to optimize the system at the time of the implant and throughout the life of the patient. For patients, the new technology ultimately results in better outcomes, and fewer follow-up surgeries and complications as compared with pacing devices with only two electrodes.
Said Siddiqui: "As a physician, I'm always looking for the best outcomes for my patients. I believe this new system will offer some relief for this patient and for others like him who have long battled with heart failure. This is an enhanced pacing modality that allows pacing in areas of the heart that otherwise might not be easily captured."
The Unify Quadra device is manufactured by St. Jude Medical Inc., a global medical device company.
Sinai-Grace Hospital is a full-service hospital with 404 licensed beds and more than 700 physicians, 700 nurses, and 1,700 support staff. Services and capabilities include cardiology, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, urological services, psychiatry, radiation oncology, gerontology, physical medicine, and orthopaedic surgery.
Sinai-Grace operates more than 25 ambulatory sites and surgery centers, including the Lahser and Berry Surgery Centers. With more than 214,000 patients annually, Sinai-Grace serves as a teaching facility to more than 200 medical students each year. Sinai-Grace Hospital is one of eight hospitals operated by the Detroit Medical Center.
