Two leads are popped down to the heart's right side, just like a routine pacemaker implantation. The breakthrough came when scientists figured out how to put a third lead on the more vulnerable left ventricle, so both sides can be sparked to pump together. It's not a cure. But early results are promising, German scientist Dr. Angelo Auricchio told a recent meeting of the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology. In a study of 42 severely ill Europeans, a single month's use of the device improved the heart's pumping efficiency by 15 percent, and significantly increased patients' ability to walk.
Longer use seems to be reducing hospitalizations.
Dr. Scott Higgins of Scripps Memorial Hospital in San Diego has implanted 60 Americans with the Guidant device. He says people once too weak to get out of bed now go shopping and do other routine activities. All rights reserved.