VA Palo Alto marks first optimizer device implant for heart failure patients
On May 23, 2025, Dr. Byron Lee, Chief of Cardiac Electrophysiology, along with the cardiac electrophysiology team at VA Palo Alto health care, achieved a historic milestone by performing the first Impulse Dynamics Optimizer implant at VA Palo Alto and Stanford Medicine.
The Optimizer is a breakthrough device designed for patients with moderate to severe heart failure who have not responded to other therapies. It delivers therapy known as cardiac contractility modulation, which involves pacing during contraction to increase intracellular calcium levels. This process strengthens heart muscle contractions, potentially helping patients feel more energetic and improving their capacity to walk and exercise.
The first procedure was performed on a longstanding VA Palo Alto patient who had been struggling with fatigue despite months of treatment adjustments. Following the implant, the patient recovered quickly and returned home the very next day. Just two weeks later, he reported experiencing a "burst of energy" during his walks, allowing him to "speed up."
This accomplishment was made possible through the leadership of Dr. Byron Lee and the dedication of the cardiac electrophysiology team: Selina Rong, Alex Mesri, Charles Dominguez, Kris Mallari, Patricia Cardenas, Zaniar Ghazizadeh, and Estella Esteban.
More Veterans are soon to be scheduled for this innovative therapy, marking a new chapter in heart failure care at VA Palo Alto health care.