Patient FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A heart attack occurs (usually quickly) when the artery that supplies blood to the heart becomes blocked (by a clot or plaque) and prevents fresh blood from reaching and refreshing the heart. After a heart attack, the affected part may be permanently damaged. Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot circulate enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Heart failure may take years to develop, and is often a consequence of one or more heart attacks that have left the heart muscle scarred and damaged.
It can take years for heart failure to develop or it can come on quickly, particularly after a heart attack. Changes to the heart’s size, structure and function may precede noticeable symptoms by several months or even years. If you suspect your heart may be failing, consult your physician immediately.
Yes. The LIVE® procedure Revivent TC® Transcatheter Ventricular Enhancement System has been CE Marked in the European Union (EU), allowing for the technology to be widely accessed by doctors commercially throughout Europe. This means that as a result of a successful clinical trial in the EU, all hospitals in Europe can access the Revivent TC Transcatheter Ventricular Enhancement System as a resource to treat patients who have had a heart attack. The device is currently under clinical investigation in the U.S.A. with the hopes of gaining FDA approval once the clinical trial is complete.
In a clinical study that concluded in 2016, people who have had a heart attack and underwent the LIVE® procedure showed they could walk an average of 417 meters in 6 minutes at 1 Year post-operation. This was a significant improvement prior to the LIVE procedure as patients could only walk an average 339 meters in 6 minutes. The 23% increase is a direct indicator of a patient’s improved quality of life as their heart failure symptoms were relieved by excluding the damage done from the heart attack (European clinical data on file).
Like any surgery, the LIVE® procedure comes with risks, including bleeding, infection, stroke, and death. Talk to your doctor to better understand the risks and benefits of the LIVE procedure.
The Revivent TC® Transcatheter Ventricular Enhancement System implant was designed to last for the remainder of your life. However, if there is a problem, the implant does not prevent you from future interventions like an LVAD or a Heart Transplant, if necessary.
