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The Christ Hospital Health Network in Cincinnati marked a milestone on September 22, 2025, with its 400th implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The procedure was performed for patient Russell Holbrook, who later reunited with his care team to commemorate the occasion.
LVADs are mechanical pumps that help patients with advanced heart failure by improving both their quality and length of life. The development of this program has played a significant role in enabling The Christ Hospital Health Network to establish its heart transplant program three years ago.
Greg Egnaczyk, MD, who leads the LVAD program and holds the Frank and Margo Homan Family Endowed Chair for Heart Failure, said, “LVAD is a bridge to an eventual heart transplant for those with advanced heart failure. I’m proud of how our entire LVAD team has grown the program to what it is today while also giving hundreds of patients a better quality of life while they await a heart transplant. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans and it’s important for The Christ Hospital to have the best technology and team to care for our community.”
Patients receiving LVADs often require extended stays in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). According to hospital data, the CVICU at The Christ Hospital reports survival rates 10% higher than international averages for treating cardiogenic shock using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
Heart failure affects more than six million people in the United States. Experts expect this number to rise significantly over the next decade. Advances in LVAD technology continue to improve outcomes and extend lives for thousands each year.
The Christ Hospital Health Network operates several facilities across Cincinnati, including an acute care hospital in Mt. Auburn, another location in Liberty Township, five outpatient centers, and numerous medical offices throughout the region. With over 1,300 physicians and 7,200 staff members, its mission focuses on providing high-quality care at affordable costs. In recent rankings by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals list for 2025, The Christ Hospital was named #1 hospital in Cincinnati.
