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Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, an independent, world-class cardiovascular research and education organization announced today the first patient enrolled in the SuperSaturated oxygen Comprehensive Observational REgistry (SSCORE) Research Registry. The prospective study is designed to provide further evidence of the efficacy of SuperSaturated Oxygen (SSO₂) Therapy, manufactured by Zoll, to reduce heart failure and mortality in patients suffering from left anterior descending ST-elevation myocardial infarction (LAD STEMI) heart attacks, the most serious type of heart attack. LAD STEMI heart attacks are often referred to as “widow makers” due to the high mortality rate associated with this condition. The SSCORE Registry will also collect data to evaluate potential improvement in overall healthcare costs associated with prevention of heart failure versus a lifetime of palliative treatment strategies.

“These patients with LAD occlusion are at significant risk,” said M. Nicolas Burke, MD, interventional cardiologist and researcher at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, and director of Cardiovascular Emergency Services at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute® at Abbott Northwestern Hospital who treated the first patient enrolled in SSCORE nationwide. “Opening the artery is the first step but using SSO₂ to further decrease infarct size is vital. This patient had an acute proximal LAD occlusion and I wanted to give him the best chance of preserving his heart function.”

Patients with LAD STEMI heart attacks have higher mortality rates than those with other types of heart attacks. SSO₂ Therapy is the first and only FDA-approved treatment that has been clinically proven to significantly reduce damage to cardiac muscle in heart attack patients after coronary angioplasty with stenting.[1] The extent of damaged cardiac muscle is a strong predictor of future outcomes like rehospitalization and the development of heart failure.[2]

“The focus on reducing infarct size and improving microvascular function with SSO₂ in the cath lab versus palliation of disease is a logical strategy that has been long awaited in this field,” said Jay Traverse, MD, principal investigator and researcher at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, and interventional cardiologist at Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute®. “Persistently high readmission rates for these patients, who often develop heart failure following standard-of-care stenting of the LAD, have been an ongoing challenge for over two decades. SuperSaturated Oxygen Therapy has shown great promise to alleviate this problem, which improves the quality of life for the patient while relieving the financial burden on the healthcare system as a whole. We are excited to participate in this trial and look forward to seeing positive outcomes.”

SSO₂ Therapy is indicated as an adjunct for patients who suffer LAD STEMI and are treated with traditional stenting within six hours of chest pain onset. The therapy delivers high levels of dissolved oxygen (7–10 times the amount normally found in the bloodstream) directly to the damaged heart muscle immediately after the coronary artery has been successfully opened via angioplasty and stenting. Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of SSO₂ Therapy to reduce infarct size, a strong predictor of subsequent outcomes.[1],[3],[4],[5],[6]

About the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation®

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) strives to create a world without heart and vascular disease. To achieve this bold vision, MHIF is dedicated to improving the cardiovascular health of individuals and communities through innovative research and education.

Scientific Innovation and Research – MHIF is a recognized leader across all specialties of heart and vascular research. Each year, MHIF leads more than 220 research studies with more than 2,200 patients and publishes more than 250 articles to share learnings from research. MHIF research has improved the standard of care around the world through protocols like Level One for heart attack, which significantly improved outcomes and survival for patients.

Education and Outreach – MHIF provides more than 11,000 hours of education each year putting its research into practice to improve outcomes among health care providers. This commitment extends to patients and caregivers through community health and education events to raise awareness of heart care and research, engaging individuals in their own health.

The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation’s work is funded by generous donors and sponsors and engages in cutting-edge research initiatives with its physician partners from the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute® at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and at 38 community sites across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. For more information, please visit mplsheart.org.

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