Heart failure is diagnosed as a condition, when the heart is unable to pump sufficient amount of blood throughout the body. Heart failure affects the left side, right side or both sides of the heart (ventricle and atrium). Most cases of heart failure occur on the left side of the heart, otherwise known as congestive heart failure (CHF). Subsequently, blood does not empty out properly from the left ventricle, leading to increased pressure in the atria (upper chamber of the heart), and nearby veins (1 + 2). This triggers a blockage of fluid in the lungs, which interferes with breathing, causing shortness of breath, especially when a person is lying down. Also, swelling (edema) occurs in the ankles and legs or other parts of the body (3). Besides, patients experience tiredness. Eventually, preventing the kidneys from functioning, attributing to retention of salt and water. In the United States, about five million people diagnosed with heart failure, and 550,000 new cases each year, attributing to 300,000 deaths each year (1 + 2). In the United States, estimated annually heart failure care exceeds $28 billion, as a result of long hospitalization and high rate of readmissions (4). Most cases of congestive heart failure common among elderly population or ten percent at age seventy. Less common effects 40 and 59 (two percent) years old. Major reasons that contribute to heart disease or congestive heart failure include: Smoking, Diabetes, physical inactivity, obesity, infection, toxic exposure (alcohol or cocaine), weakened heart muscle, poor diet and high blood pressure (2, 5, 15). Chest x-ray can help diagnoses congestive heart failure, identifying a buildup of fluid in the lungs and enlargement of the heart. Also, patients undergo an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram (ultrasound) detects any heart problems (16).
Conventional treatment for fluid retention in the lungs, liver and extremities, related to congestive heart failure: Administering a diuretic or water pills (several categories of diuretics available) (6 + 7). Diuretics function to increase urine flow from the kidney to produce sodium and water excretion (8). This improves breathing function (eliminating water in the lungs) and reduction of swelling in the lower body. However, diuretics may increase the potassium levels, requiring medical attention (9). Also, patients experience extreme range of adverse side effects (8). Unfortunately, diuretics may prove to be unsuccessful to treat congestive heart failure for a variety of reasons or referred to as “braking phenomenon,” may include multiple organ failures (11). Also, Dr. Maria Rosa Costanzo, a Heart Failure Specialist at Midwest Heart Specialists said: “Conventional diuretic treatments have been frustrating to doctors due to the unpredictable results and treatment times (10).”
Aquapheresis or ultrafiltration is a new treatment technique for congestive heart failure patients. Process removes excess fluid from the body. A catheter is inserted into the bloodstream, continuously runs the patient’s blood through a filter. The filter removes excess fluid, and the blood is returned to the patient. Between ten to twelve hours of treatment, more than one pound of fluid is removed. Subsequently, during one treatment ten to twenty pounds of fluid could be filtered or removed. After one treatment, patients immediately experience feeling better; last six to eight weeks. During that time, patients can take medications including diuretics, previously proven to be ineffective control fluid. Also, ultrafiltration therapy requires a short hospitalization (11 + 12).
In March 2006, presented at the American College of Cardiology conference, UNLOAD trial study of 200 patients involving 28 hospitals, and medical centers in the United States utilizing Aquapheresis therapy. These patients required significantly fewer follow — up visits to the hospital and lost more weight than those patients treated with intravenous diuretics. The UNLOAD study results published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology late 2006. According to American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommends ultrafiltration’s effectiveness and treatment guidelines (4). The Food and Drug Administration granted approval one — day rapid fluid removal – Aquapheresis therapy (11).
Privately owned manufacturer for innovative medical devices for cardiac care CHF Solutions (based in Brooklyn Park, Minn), developed Aquadex FlexFlow Fluid Removal System for aquapheresis therapy (13 + 4). Reported in September 2007, Florida Hospital first hospital in Central Florida, provide patients Aquadex FlexFlow system for the treatment of congestive heart failure (14).
1 – Disease and Conditions Index (DCI) – Heart Failure
2 – Disability Online – Congestive heart failure
3 – Americanheart.org – Congestive Heart Failure
4 -genengnews.com – Cardiovascular Diseases Breaking News – Five Studies on Aquapheresis(TM) Therapy Presented at the Heart Failure Society of America Annual Meeting – September 25, 2006
5 – New Therapy Helps Treat Heart Failure Effectively – May – July 2006 issue – Mary Annee Papp, DO, FACC – Medical College of Wisconsin Cardiologist Director of the Heart Failure Clinic
6 – Wikipedia – Diuretic
7 – Business Journal – Florida Hospital Offers new treatment – September 14, 2007
8 – Diuretics – Donald E. Kohan, MD, Ph.D
9 – eMedicine Health – Congestive Heart Failure – Medications
10 – EurekAlert.com – Ultrafiltration device shown safe, effective and reduces hospital stay for heart failure patients – September 22, 2003
11 – Froedtert.com – May – July 2006 issue – Mary Annee Papp, DO, FACC – Medical College of Wisconsin Cardiologist Director of the Heart Failure Clinic
12 – Healthline.com – Aquapheresis: A New Treatment for Heart Failure (Part 2) by Joshua Schwimmer, MD, FACP, FASN – June 9, 2007
13 – chfsolutions.com
14 – bizjournals.com – Florida Hospital Offers New Treatment – September 14, 2007
15 – emedicinehealth.com – Congestive Heart Failure Causes
16 – emedicinehealth.com – Congestive Heart Failure (cont.) – Exams and Tests
