From left: Benjamin Johnson, MD; John Castro, MD; and Jamie Pelzel, MD
| Celebrating a CentraCare Heart & Vascular Milestone |
CentraCare Heart & Vascular recently completed the first Barostim implant in Central Minnesota! Barostim is an innovative, pressure-monitoring device designed to reduce heart failure symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue.
The Barostim systems were implanted in the operating room by the cardiac surgery team of John Castro, MD, on patients of Jamie Pelzel, MD, and Benjamin Johnson, MD, who were deemed appropriate candidates and most likely to benefit from this new treatment.
While the device does not reverse heart failure, studies show it can improve quality of life, increase life expectancy and reduce hospitalizations.
Heart failure is a chronic condition that occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood to keep up with the body’s needs. When the heart weakens, the sensors in the carotid artery that track blood volume and pressure send fewer signals to the brain. This can trigger a stress response that causes the heart to work harder, worsening heart failure symptoms. Barostim delivers gentle electrical pulses to these sensors, helping reduce the stress response and improve symptoms.
“We are excited to have another tool in our toolbox for managing patients with heart failure,” said Dr. Johnson. “This therapy is especially beneficial for patients who are on optimal medications but continue to experience symptoms.”
In addition to Barostim, CentraCare Heart & Vascular offers other minimally invasive, advanced heart failure therapies, including CardioMEMS™, Cordella™ and cardiac resynchronization therapy. |
| When the Doctor Becomes the Patient |
CentraCare – Monticello President John Hering, MD, shares how recognizing symptoms and using a smartwatch helped detect his atrial fibrillation.
read his story |
| Learn About the Structural Heart Program at CentraCare Heart & Vascular |
Interventional Cardiologist Jacob R. Dutcher, MD, provides insight into the Structural Heart Program at CentraCare Heart & Vascular, which offers these procedures:- Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) with WATCHMAN and Amulet
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Closure
- Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
watch the video |
From left: Benjamin Johnson, MD; John Castro, MD; and Jamie Pelzel, MD
| Celebrating a CentraCare Heart & Vascular Milestone |
CentraCare Heart & Vascular recently completed the first Barostim implant in Central Minnesota! Barostim is an innovative, pressure-monitoring device designed to reduce heart failure symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue.
The Barostim systems were implanted in the operating room by the cardiac surgery team of John Castro, MD, on patients of Jamie Pelzel, MD, and Benjamin Johnson, MD, who were deemed appropriate candidates and most likely to benefit from this new treatment.
While the device does not reverse heart failure, studies show it can improve quality of life, increase life expectancy and reduce hospitalizations.
Heart failure is a chronic condition that occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood to keep up with the body’s needs. When the heart weakens, the sensors in the carotid artery that track blood volume and pressure send fewer signals to the brain. This can trigger a stress response that causes the heart to work harder, worsening heart failure symptoms. Barostim delivers gentle electrical pulses to these sensors, helping reduce the stress response and improve symptoms.
“We are excited to have another tool in our toolbox for managing patients with heart failure,” said Dr. Johnson. “This therapy is especially beneficial for patients who are on optimal medications but continue to experience symptoms.”
In addition to Barostim, CentraCare Heart & Vascular offers other minimally invasive, advanced heart failure therapies, including CardioMEMS™, Cordella™ and cardiac resynchronization therapy. |
| When the Doctor Becomes the Patient |
CentraCare – Monticello President John Hering, MD, shares how recognizing symptoms and using a smartwatch helped detect his atrial fibrillation.
read his story |
| Learn About the Structural Heart Program at CentraCare Heart & Vascular |
Interventional Cardiologist Jacob R. Dutcher, MD, provides insight into the Structural Heart Program at CentraCare Heart & Vascular, which offers these procedures:- Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) with WATCHMAN and Amulet
- Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Closure
- Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
watch the video |
