title: Understanding the C-pulse device and its potential to treat heart failure.
abstract: The Sunshine Heart C-Pulse (C-Pulse; Sunshine Heart Inc., Tustin, CA) device is an extra-aortic implantable counterpulsation pump designed as a non-blood contacting ambulatory heart assist device, which may provide relief from symptoms for class II-III congestive heart failure patients. It has a comparable hemodynamic augmentation to intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation devices. The C-Pulse cuff is implanted through a median sternotomy, secured around the ascending aorta, and pneumatically driven by an external system controller. Pre-clinical studies in the acute pig model, and initial temporary clinical studies in patients undergoing off-pump coronary bypass surgery have shown substantial increase in diastolic perfusion of the coronary vessels, which translated to a favorable improvement in ventricular function. A U.S. prospective multi-center trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the C-Pulse in class III patients with moderate heart failure is now in progress.
authors.affiliation: Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Division of Cardiac Surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 201 East Huron Street, Suite 11-140, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA. vsales@nmh.org
authors.forename: Virna L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Sales
authors.forename: Patrick M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018754:Ventricular Dysfunction / Q000601:surgery*