ALBUQUERQUE – February 17, 2025 – Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center (HHNM) today announced it is the first in the state of New Mexico to begin enrolling patients in a new clinical trial to evaluate a first-of-its-kind treatment option for heart failure. The CORCINCH-HF Study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of the AccuCinch Ventricular Restoration System, a new and innovative approach to treating heart failure that is designed to improve the structure and function of the heart and may help reduce symptoms, improve quality of life and potentially increase life expectancy.
During the minimally invasive AccuCinch procedure, a flexible implant is attached to the interior of the left ventricular wall of the heart and then cinched like a drawstring. The implant is intended to reduce the size of the left ventricle, reduce ventricular wall stress, and support and strengthen the heart wall.
“There is a large group of heart failure patients in our state who are in need of treatments that can help manage symptoms when medications and cardiac resynchronization therapy are no longer able to do so,” said Mark Bieniarz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, interventional cardiologist with New Mexico Heart Institute/Lovelace Medical Group, and principal investigator of the trial. “By participating in clinical trials such as CORCINCH-HF, we are playing a key role in helping identify safe and effective alternatives for these patients.”
Standard treatment options for heart failure include lifestyle changes, medications, and implanting a pacemaker to help support the heart’s pumping abilities (called cardiac resynchronization therapy). Because heart failure is a progressive disease, meaning symptoms tend to worsen over time, patients need new options when existing therapies are no longer able to manage their condition. Early clinical data suggests the AccuCinch System may address this need in patients who have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), possibly providing a new option that improves heart structure and function as well as quality of life.
“We are proud to lead New Mexico in offering this global clinical study that is much-needed in the world of heart failure treatment,” said Brian Miller, chief executive officer of HHNM. “Our clinicians, surgeons, staff and caregivers are committed to providing the highest quality of cardiac care to our patients, all while staying close to home.”
To learn more about HHNM and its commitment to providing quality and state-of-the art cardiovascular care, please visit hearthospitalnm.com. To make an appointment with a New Mexico Heart Institute/Lovelace Medical Group provider, please call 505-727-2727 or schedule an appointment at your convenience by visiting https://lovelacemedicalgroup.com/appointment.
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Contact:
Whitney Alcantar, Lovelace Health System
Phone: 505-727-5503
About Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center
Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center (HHNM) is New Mexico’s only hospital dedicated exclusively to cardiovascular care, including the state’s only facility performing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implants and was recently re-credentialed by DNV through 2026 as a Ventricular Assist Device Facility and was LVAD-accredited by The Joint Commission. The 55-bed facility, which features a state-of-the-art hybrid operating room where surgeons can perform advanced surgical services for cardiovascular patients, has become synonymous with high quality, technologically advanced cardiac care. HHNM was named a fourth consecutive Top Teaching Hospital from 2020 - 2024 by Leapfrog Hospital Safety for its quality of care, including practices for safer surgery and capacity to prevent medication errors and has three times been named to The Best Hospital in America List for 2021 - 2023 (small teaching hospital category) by Money and the Leapfrog Group for its quality, safe care, a reputation for excellent patient experiences and an ethical approach to treatment. To learn more about the state-of-the-art treatment options, innovative health care providers and award-winning quality initiatives at Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center, visit hearthospitalnm.com.
About The CORCINCH-HF Study and the AccuCinch Ventricular Restoration System
The CORCINCH-HF Study is being conducted at heart centers around the world, including [Hospital]. The study will enroll 400 patients and is designed to support a Premarket Approval (PMA) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Enrolled patients will be randomized to receive treatment with the AccuCinch System and guideline-directed medical therapy or guideline-directed medical therapy alone. To be eligible, patients must meet the following main criteria:
• Have been told they have heart failure by their doctor
• Have had their doctor explain that they have reduced ejection fraction (low heart pumping ability)
• Are taking heart failure medications, but have symptoms that are worsening (e.g., shortness of breath, fatigue, coughing, leg swelling, or trouble breathing at night)
The AccuCinch System is an investigational device currently being evaluated in the CORCINCH-HF Study. Early clinical data suggests that the system may provide an effective treatment option by filling the gap between medication or cardiac resynchronization therapy and left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) or a heart transplant. The AccuCinch System was developed by Santa Clara, California-based Ancora Heart. Additional information is available at ancoraheart.com.