Phoebe staff discuss new procedure and device to improve heart health

ALBANY, Ga. – A new procedure being done at Phoebe Putney Hospital is making waves when it comes to heart health. And, this comes after the procedure and implant were only implemented this year.

Phoebe Electrophysiologist, Dr. James Coman says the procedure involves a minimally invasive device called The Optimizer – Smart Mini that helps deliver electric pulses to the heart during moments of resting heart rates.

“So, the implant procedure would be exactly the same. The size of the device is that of a permanent pacemaker. But, it’s function is very different. A pacemaker raises heart rates that are too low, this device doesn’t change heart rate at all…” said Dr. James Coman, Electrophysiologist, Phoebe Health System.

Doctor Coman says that after years of clinical trials, the procedure is only been implemented a few times at Phoebe in 2023…

But, there was a noticeable difference in a short amount of time.

“The very first patient that I saw after this device was only 10 days between her procedure and when I saw her. And, she didn’t really look like the same person. She was remarkably improved, smiling from ear-to-ear, and was able to jump off the exam table and do deep knee bends in front of me to show me how much better her life was,” said Dr. Coman.

And, as adding an Optimizer to those with heart problems is helping their overall heart health, it will also help keep them from medical bills piling up.

“A third of Medicare’s entire budget is devoted to heart failure. I think most people don’t realize how much of our healthcare dollar and time are spent on this particular diagnosis… So, it’s a huge amount of time and effort on the healthcare system to manage this,” said Dr. Coman.

However, Dr. Coman says that something like this is also meant to work in conjunction with the likes of a pacemaker, and not as a replacement for one if it’s needed.

However, The Optimizer is showing significant improvements to people as is.

“…Eighty-one percent of people have one functional class improvement. So, they change from being able to walk ten yards to being able to walk an unlimited distance without shortness of breath. And about forty percent of patients get rid of shortness of breath altogether, even when they run, or exercise, or climb stairs,” said Dr. Coman.

While Dr. Coman says that The Optimizer is not a replacement for a proper pacemaker, it will be a difference maker for plenty of people dealing with heart conditions.

According to a release from Phoebe, the device helps use the electric pulses to help the heart contract and pump fluid.

Brian Roche reporting.

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