With homage to "Rent" …
Two million, six hundred twenty-eight thousand minutes
Two million, six hundred twenty-eight thousand moments so dear
Two million, six hundred twenty-eight thousand minutes
How do you measure, measure five years?
In weddings, in anniversaries
In seasons, in birthdays
In graduations, in promotions
In vacations, in holidays
Two million, six hundred twenty-eight thousand minutes
How do you measure five years of life?
Now, that’s a very real question for people living with advanced heart failure. Recently released data from the MOMENTUM 3 study of more than 1,000 patients show, for the first time, those given the opportunity to be considered for the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD, also known as a heart pump), could have five years — and beyond — to measure in memories.
Prior data1 showed that, without either a heart transplant or pump, they would have limited therapy options or would require living with inotropic medication to help strengthen their heart function, limiting their median survival to less than a year.
Millions Can Benefit
More than 6.2 million Americans have heart failure.2 Diagnoses are projected to double3 by 2030. Only about 3,600 will receive a new heart.
"The problem is the number of patients who need either transplant or an LVAD is so utterly off the charts, the number of transplants is hopelessly small compared to the number of people who need circulatory support," said Kevin Bourque, who has worked on the design of the HeartMate line of pumps since the beginning.
More than 20,000 people have benefitted from HeartMate 3, the only commercially approved heart pump with Full MagLev technology, which allows the device’s rotor to be “suspended” by magnetic forces.
But that's just scratching the surface for those 6.2 million.
"Thousands of people with advanced heart failure die every year because they do not receive a heart pump, largely because their physicians are not aware of the option or its full benefits," said Keith Boettiger, vice president of Abbott's heart failure business. "There are too many patients who aren't provided the opportunity to be evaluated for a heart pump. With broader awareness and improved access to a heart pump, we can give these patients a chance at a longer, fuller life."
FOLLOW ABBOTT