Device buys time for heart patients

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A new program at Seton is helping patients with heart problems live longer.

The Seton Heart Specialty Care and Transplant Center has been implanting the Heartmate II into patients with hearts having difficulty pumping blood.

"We put it in patients who have congestive heart failure or have left heart failure and by putting them on this pump it allows them to go home," said Dr. Mike Mueller, Seton Surgical Director of the Transplant Program.

Floyd Salinias had one implanted two years ago after suffering a major heart attack and undergoing bypass surgery. The device takes over pumping blood for the left side of the heart so the heart doesn't have to work as hard.

The pump must remain charged at all times.

"I still get shortness of breath and I can't bend over because I get dizzy but it’s gotten me a little bit more time for my transplant," said Salinias.

The Heartmate is not meant to be used long term, just a few years until the patient can receive a heart transplant.