Biventricular Pacemaker Implantation to Be Performed Live on Internet

January 10, 2005

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Electrophysiologist Thomas Wannenburg, M.D., assistant professor of cardiology at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, will implant a biventricular pacemaker live on the Internet Thursday, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m.

The Heart Center at Wake Forest Baptist was the first in North Carolina to offer patients with severe heart failure this device, the first approved for treating severe heart failure. On average, patients improve one point on the New York Heart Association Heart Failure Classification scale.

The biventricular pacemaker is used to synchronize left ventricular septal and free wall activation to improve cardiac output in patients with heart failure and ventricular conduction abnormalities. Biventricular pacing systems can be incorporated into a pacemaker or defibrillator depending upon the patient’s clinical need.

Free continuing medical education credit (CME) is offered. The Wake Forest University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of one category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award.

To view this live Webcast or to view archived Webcasts, register at www1.wfubmc.edu/webcasts/.

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Media Contacts: Jim Steele, jsteele@wfubmc.edu, Shannon Koontz, shkoontz@wfubmc.edu, or Karen Richardson, krchrdsn@wfubmc.edu, at 336-716-4587.

About Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center: Wake Forest Baptist is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which operates the university’s School of Medicine. The system comprises 1,298 acute care, psychiatric, rehabilitation and long-term care beds and is consistently ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report.

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