Cardiac Contractility Modulation (CCM) Therapy

If you’re experiencing heart failure, your provider may recommend cardiac contractility modulation therapy to help relieve your symptoms.

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Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) therapy is an advanced treatment for heart failure.

It involves implanting a small device in your chest that sends electrical pulses to your heart. These pulses help your heart beat more effectively and can reduce common heart failure symptoms such as:

Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Confusion
Swelling in the legs

At University of Iowa Health Care Heart and Vascular Center, we offer Iowa’s most comprehensive heart failure program — and we’re the only center in the state to provide CCM therapy. Our team includes Iowa’s largest and most experienced group of cardiac electrophysiologists who specialize in implantable cardiac devices. Together, our heart failure and electrophysiology experts will work with you to determine whether CCM therapy is right for you.

How cardiac contractility modulation therapy works

Cardiac contractility refers to the strength of your heart muscle when it contracts. Heart failure often weakens this ability, making it harder for your heart to pump blood effectively throughout your body.

Unlike other implanted cardiac devices — such as pacemakers or defibrillators, which focus on heart rhythm — CCM therapy uses electrical pulses to improve the strength of your heart’s contractions. This helps your heart pump blood more efficiently.

The CCM device includes a pulse generator and two leads (wires). It sends precisely timed electrical pulses through the leads into your heart for five hours each day, delivered in one-hour sessions at regular intervals.

What to expect when receiving cardiac contractility modulation therapy

Your CCM device will be placed by an experienced electrophysiologist in one of our state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization labs. The procedure typically takes about two hours, and most patients go home the same day.

Before the procedure: You’ll receive light sedation to help you stay comfortable.
During the procedure: Your provider will make a small incision in your upper chest, insert the pulse generator, and attach the leads to your heart’s right ventricle.
After the procedure: You’ll be monitored for a few hours in the hospital. Before you leave, your care team will review instructions for your recovery at home.

Once you’ve healed, you’ll return for a follow-up visit. At that appointment, your provider will program and activate the device.

Who can benefit from cardiac contractility modulation therapy?

CCM therapy is a promising option for people with heart failure whose symptoms haven’t improved with other treatments.

Your provider may recommend CCM therapy if you:

Have moderate to severe heart failure
Experience symptoms that make everyday activities difficult
Have an ejection fraction (a measure of how well your heart pumps blood) between 25% and 45%