Frye Regional Medical Center announced on Apr. 27 that it has performed its first FDA-approved implantable neuromodulation procedure for patients with heart failure, becoming the first hospital in western North Carolina to offer this treatment.
The introduction of this therapy expands the options available for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions, providing a new approach not widely accessible in the region. The procedure uses neuromodulation to target the nervous system and improve symptoms in patients with systolic heart failure who have not responded to other treatments.
Brett Starr, MD, FACS, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Frye Regional, performed the minimally invasive procedure. “This therapy offers a meaningful option for patients with heart failure who have exhausted standard treatments,” said Dr. Starr. “By complementing existing therapies, this minimally invasive approach can improve quality of life and help patients return to daily activities.”
The device is implanted under the skin in the chest and delivers gentle electrical signals to baroreceptors in the carotid artery to help regulate heart rate and blood pressure. Unlike pacemakers or defibrillators, it does not require hardware inside the heart or blood vessels. Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2019, this system is intended for those who are not candidates for transplant or mechanical circulatory support.
Lindy White, chief executive officer of Frye Regional Medical Center, said: “Bringing this level of heart care to our community means patients no longer have to travel far for advanced treatment options… This achievement is a testament to the dedication, collaboration and clinical excellence of our cardiovascular team, whose leadership and commitment made this advancement possible.” Most procedures take about an hour with same-day discharge expected.
Frye Regional Medical Center advances community well-being by delivering advanced specialty care locally in the Catawba Valley region according to its official website. The hospital includes a main campus in Hickory along with a South Campus behavioral health hospital and multiple outpatient centers according to its official website. It earns recognition as a high performing hospital in heart attack and heart failure care by U.S. News & World Report according to its official website.
Operating under Duke LifePoint Healthcare according to its official website, Frye Regional is a 355-bed acute care facility according to its official website. It provides advanced specialty care across cardiology, cancer treatment, neurosciences, orthopedics, emergency medicine, women’s health and behavioral health according to its official website.
Frye Regional delivers comprehensive medical services throughout Catawba Valley as part of being western North Carolina’s first Duke Health affiliate focused on high-quality cardiac care according to its official website.
