Deborah Heart and Lung Center Implants Its First Combined CCM-Defibrillator Device as Part of Groundbreaking Clinical Trial

Browns Mills, NJ — Deborah Heart and Lung Center successfully implanted its first Optimizer™ Integra-D Cardiac Contractility Modulation – Defibrillator (CCM-D) device. The procedure was performed by Deborah’s Division Director of Electrophysiology and Pacing, Raffaele Corbisiero, MD, as part of Deborah’s participation in a national clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of this innovative system.

The Integra-D device is a first-of-its-kind investigational technology that combines cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) therapy with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)—offering heart failure patients not only symptom improvement but also critical protection against sudden cardiac arrest.

“This device represents the next frontier in heart failure management, especially for patients who continue to struggle with symptoms despite optimal medical therapy,” said Dr. Corbisiero. “By providing CCM therapy to strengthen the heart’s contractions, along with the life-saving capabilities of an ICD, we are able to offer our patients a more comprehensive treatment option with a single implant.”

Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) therapy, delivered via the Optimizer system, is a minimally invasive, FDA-approved treatment that improves the heart’s pumping strength without causing additional contractions. The therapy involves delivering timed electrical pulses to the heart muscle, helping to improve oxygen-rich blood flow throughout the body. CCM therapy has been shown to enhance quality of life and functional capacity for heart failure patients who have limited treatment options.

The Integra-D device combines this proven CCM technology with the protective benefit of a traditional ICD, which can automatically sense and treat life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

“This study has the potential to redefine how we care for heart failure patients by addressing two critical needs at once—symptom improvement and sudden death prevention,” said Deborah’s Clinical Research Director, Janice Prodell. “We’re proud to be part of this important research that may lead to better outcomes and a better quality of life for our patients.”

Deborah Heart and Lung Center is currently enrolling qualified patients into the Integra-D clinical trial, aimed at assessing the safety and effectiveness of this dual-function implantable device in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction.

The device is implanted during a minimally invasive procedure while the patient is under light sedation. The device can then help support the patient in two key ways. It can provide more calcium to strengthen the heart contractions, and it can if needed, save the patient’s life if a life threating cardiac rhythm occurs.

Deborah Heart and Lung Center remains at the forefront of advanced cardiovascular care, participating in multiple clinical trials designed to bring innovative therapies to patients sooner.

Photo 001 Caption: Raffaele Corbisiero, MD, and the Deborah team with the Optimizer™ Integra-D device.

Photo 002 Caption: The Optimizer™ Integra-D device.

Deborah Heart and Lung Center

Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, New Jersey, is a teaching hospital in the prevention, diagnosis, research and treatment of heart, lung and vascular diseases. Founded in 1922, Deborah has treated more than 2.3 million hearts from every corner of the United States and 87 countries. From performing the first adult and pediatric open-heart surgeries in New Jersey, to one of the highest-volume left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant programs in the nation, Deborah is consistently recognized as a leader overall and in patient care from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It is ranked among the top hospitals in New Jersey for patient satisfaction; holds a top-tier Society of Thoracic Surgeons rating which places Deborah among the best cardiac surgery programs in North America; and is rated High Performing in five specialties, Heart Arrhythmia, Heart Attack, Heart Bypass Surgery, Heart Failure, and Pacemaker Implantation by U.S. News & World Report. Deborah is an Alliance member of the Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute.

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