Preparing for Your Surgery Heart Hugger

The nurse practitioner will discuss what to expect before and after your heart surgery. He or she will serve as a contact person and coordinate your care. Your nurse practitioner will meet with you on a regular basis during your stay and will help make plans for your discharge home.

Besides visits from team members, lab studies and X-rays will have to be done if they were not done prior to admission. A chest X-ray, electrocardiogram (EKG), blood tests, and a urine test are needed. A blood sample is drawn to identify your blood type and reserve blood in case you need it. We try not to transfuse blood products; however, they are ready if you need them.

Twice before surgery, you will shower and scrub the front of your body with a special soap on a sponge and brush that your nurse will give you. Use the sponge side. You should wash your chest first for two to three minutes, then the rest of your body. This soap puts a film on your skin, so do not use other soap after the scrub. Your body hair will be removed the morning of your surgery to make it easier to clean your skin and to lesson the chance of infection.

Preparing for Your Surgery

Before your surgery can be a busy time-you can expect visits from different members of the cardiothoracic surgery team. Besides your heart surgeon, team members include residents and anesthesiologists. The team also includes nurse practitioners and nursing staff, who are specially trained in treating heart patients.

The nurse practitioner will discuss what to expect before and after your heart surgery. He or she will serve as a contact person and coordinate your care. Your nurse practitioner will meet with you on a regular basis during your stay and will help make plans for your discharge home.

A respiratory therapist will explain the need for coughing and deep breathing, and will show you how to use a lung exerciser called the incentive spirometer. You need to use this after surgery to keep your lungs clear. The anesthesiologist will see you and explain the type of anesthesia you will be given. Anesthesia will be given right before and throughout the operation, so you are asleep the entire time. The surgical resident will assess you, have you sign a consent form, and answer your questions.

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Intravenous/Bladder Tube

Intravenous (IV) lines allow us to give you fluids and medications after surgery. The bladder tube drains urine and allows us to watch your fluid balance and kidney function. This tube remains in place for one or two days, after which you should be able to walk to the bathroom. The nurses need to measure your fluid output, so they will give you a container to collect your urine after the tube is removed.

Although you will have a number of tubes and lines after surgery, they are only temporary. Each one is removed as soon as possible, many of them within a day or two. They may seem awkward while in place, but they will cause little or no pain.

Chest Tubes/Pacemaker Wires

It is normal to have chest drainage tubes placed during your surgery. The chest tubes allow blood and fluid that form inside our chest to drain out. Usually the tubes are removed the first or second day after surgery.

Temporary pacemakers are placed in all patients. They serve as a backup to assist the heart rhythm if needed. The wires will be covered by a bandage and should not get wet. They will be removed within three to four days.

Gastric Tube

A small tube is placed from your mouth or nose into your stomach to keep the stomach empty of air and fluid. This helps prevent risk of vomiting. This tube is taken out when the breathing tube is removed. You will then be able to take ice chips and liquids by mouth, and your diet will slowly return to normal. It is quite common to feel very hungry. Eat what you can as long as you are not sick to your stomach.

Heart Monitor

Your heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure, and heart pressures are displayed on the bedside screen. These "waveforms" give the heart team vital data about your heart and blood stream. The heart rate and rhythm are obtained through pads placed on the skin. Your blood pressure is obtained through a small tube placed in a blood vessel in your wrist. This tube, or arterial line, is also used to withdraw blood samples so you won't need blood drawn from your veins. The heart pressures are obtained through a small yellow tube placed into a vein of your neck. In most cases, all tubes are removed in 24 to 48 hours.

Heart Hugger Sternum Support Harness

You will be fitted with a Support Harness called Heart Hugger after your breathing tube is removed. This harness has adjustable straps over the shoulders like suspenders and a 4” wide chest belt that encircles your entire ribcage. There are handles in the front that should be adjusted to be one of your hands-width apart. Heart Hugger remains passive until you need support. Anytime you cough, sneeze or move your upper body, you will take the handles on the front of Heart Hugger and squeeze them together, with fingertips only, with one or both hands. Heart Hugger will provide you with uniform encircling support around your entire ribcage and give you the ability to control your pain and support your chest during the first few weeks of your recovery.

What Healthcare Professionals are Saying about Heart Hugger

“Over half our patients are released by the fifth post-operative day and many by the fourth post-operative day. I believe this is due in a large part to the fact that we have a device available which allows the patient to continue aggressive coughing and deep breathing at home, with much less discomfort.” “I strongly believe that the support harness has played the major role in preventing sternal wound separation.”

David G. Ellertson, M.D., Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Modesto CA

“I am impressed that as I have followed up my patients in the office, they have continued to comment that the Heart Hugger appliance made their convalescence much easier at home, and that they have continued to use it beyond hospitalization.”

Michael F. Teodori, M.D., Pediatric & Adult Cardiovascular Surgery, Phoenix AZ

"I have been a cardiothoracic surgeon for over twenty years practicing heart surgery in Ohio. I have used the Heart Hugger on many of my patients. Recently I underwent a full sternotomy with a cardiac procedure and I learned through my experience the benefits of the Heart Hugger. The stability obtained by having the chest wall circumferentially supported with the Heart Hugger was vitally important to me when moving and changing positions. It was of most benefit during coughing and sneezing spells. I wore my Heart Hugger continuously for two weeks following surgery. At night while sleeping coughing spells were unbearable without it. I now recommend the Heart Hugger for all of my patients and request that they have it placed soon after extubation."  

Peter Pavlina, M.D., Cardiac, Thoracic & Vascular Surgery, Kettering OH

“Heart Hugger helps my patients get well faster by giving them the confidence to cough, knowing they will not suffer from doing so.”

J. Marvin Smith, M.D., Cardiovascular Surgeon, San Antonio TX

“The Heart Hugger is utilized virtually on all our heart surgery patients starting on the second post-operative day. We ran a clinical trial on 20 patients ourselves prior to usage and found the device helpful. The device allows the patient to take deeper breaths while providing both lateral and frontal support. It is also particularly helpful in allowing the patient to get in and out of bed without assistance, thus lessening the complication of immobilizations.

Armida Fournell, R.N., Cardiac Rehab Coordinator, Fullerton, CA

“I have been an open heart nurse for the past 15 years. I’ve done the sheets folded in a pillow case . . . the sternal pillows . . . I’ve instructed to hug and have hugged at times! In my opinion, none of these procedures can compete with Heart Hugger. As a clinican I have seen the difference in my patient’s faces, progress and use of pain medication.”

Jannett D. Ammons, R.N., BSN, Nurse Educator, Lorain, OH

“I have used the support harness in over 100 consecutive open heart surgical patients . . . I had enough time to observe its efficacy when compared with the other conventional methods of chest protection including holding a pillow. I find the patients who have used this harness are able to take deeper breaths and cough much more effectively. I also see that the patients have excellent pain relief . . . I clearly am in favor of using Heart Hugger on a routine basis.”

Ravi Koopot, M.D., Cardiovascular Surgery, Phoenix AZ

“I am writing on behalf of my patients who use the device called the Heart Hugger. It has been such a positive asset to their recovery. I recommend and prescribe it for all my open heart patients. This device has been particularly beneficial to the patients who are undergoing repeat coronary artery bypass grafting or valve replacements. They testify that their recoveries have been much quicker while using Heart Hugger compared to prior surgeries when the device was not available.”

S. Vathayanon, M.D., Cardiac, Vascular & Thoracic Surgery, Fresno CA

“To prevent dehiscence and to reduce pain postoperatively…hospitals issue heart-shaped pillows and teddy bears for the purpose, this splints the wound in one plane only. One case of unusual sternal non-union . . . led the physical therapy team on our cardiac rehabilitation unit to investigate a more effective mechanical means to stabilize the thoracic cage. The principle method employed was a relatively inexpensive sternum support harness, Heart Hugger, which was used by patients with complaints of sternal pain, or with signs of wound dehiscence or instability . . . Since the patient can wear the harness continuously it has the advantage of being available when the need arises, for instance, during therapy, or when the patient wakes up at night.”

Peg Meisler, Physical Therapist, West Haverstraw, NY

Heart Hugger is LATEX FREE

Heart Hugger™ currently comes in four sizes; small, regular and large and extra-large. They are product coded as GT500, GT1000 GT1500 and GT2000 respectively.  All four sizes of Heart Hugger™ are manufactured by an experienced contract medical manufacturer in which the materials used during the manufacturing process along with the materials used in the product are Latex free.Respiratory Therapy exercises and coughing help to do this. Each time you cough your lungs press outward against your rib-cage and sternum in all directions (percussive expansion). This puts stress on the wound closure and can be painful. Unsupported, the wound closure is at risk of coming apart and can lead to wound complications.

Wound Support and Pain Management

After surgery, your lungs need to expand. That is why your deep breathing exercises (Respiratory Therapy) are critical to your recovery. While in surgery the ventilator was breathing for you. It caused your lungs to retain the water vapor normally expelled when you exhale. This excess water in your lungs must be expelled. Respiratory Therapy exercises and coughing help to do this. Each time you cough your lungs press outward against your ribcage and sternum in all directions (percussive expansion). This puts stress on the wound closure and can be painful. Unsupported, the wound closure is at risk of coming apart and can lead to wound complications.

Why Heart Hugger?

Heart Hugger™ speeds recovery with less pain, provides wound support and reduced risk of complications.

Heart Hugger™ is applied in the ICU just before beginning your first respiratory therapy exercises. Squeeze the handles together when you stand up, sit in the chair in your room,  go to the bathroom when walking or when your caregiver is turning you in the bed. Anytime you have to cough or sneeze squeeze the handles together (especially when using the incentive spirometer). Heart Hugger™ should be readjusted over your street clothes and worn at home continuing to give you the wound support you need for 4-6 weeks.

The Clinical Pathway

There is a trend toward earlier discharge of thoracic surgical patients. The potential for respiratory complications, and particularly wound complications continues well into the discharge period. Heart Hugger™ enables patients to stabilize their wound, continuing aggressive coughing and deep breathing exercises while resuming normal activities: walking, climbing stairs, getting into and out of automobiles, etc.

Selected Published Papers on Complications

"A Multimodal approach for reducing wound infections after sternotomy”  Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery 3 (2004) 206-210 Institutional report – Cardiac General www.icvts.org Lars-Goran Dahlin*, Hans Granfeldt, Henrik Hultkvist Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Linkoping Heart Centre, SE-581 85 Linkoping, Sweden, Revised 10 June 2003; received in revised form 24 November 2003; accepted 25 November 2003 “A Better Way to Treat Most Sternal Wound Complications After Cardiac Surgery” E. Charles Douville, MD, James W. Asaph, MD, Ronald J. Dworkin, MD, John R. Handy, Jr, MD, Clifford S. Canepa, MD, Gary L Grunkemeir, PhD, and YingXing Wu, MD Accepted for publication April 27, 2004 Address reprint request to Dr. Douville, The Oregon Clinic PC, 507 NE 47th Ave, Portland OR 97213; E-mail: ecdouville@orclinic.com 0003-4975/04/$30 Doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.04.082 ©2004 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Published be Elsevier Inc. www.elsevier.com “Superficial Wound Dehiscence After Median Sternotomy: Surgical Treatment Versus Secondary Wound Healing” Jacob Zeitani, MD, Fabio Bertoldo, MD, Carlo Bassano, MD, PhD, Alfonso Penta de Peppo, MD, Antonio Pellergrino, MD, Fadi M. El Fakhri, MD, Luigi Chiariello, MD Division of Cardiac Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy Accepted for publication August 6, 2003 Address reprint request to Dr. Zeitani, Division of cardiac Surgery, Tor Vergata University, European Hospital, Via Portuense 700, 00149 Rome, Italy; email: zeitani@hotmail.com 2004 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Published be Elsevier Inc.

Patient Compliance & The Clinical Pathway

Heart Hugger™ Sternum Support Harness is U.S. FDA Classified, Medicare Approved and conforms conforms to the European Medical Device Directive. It provides a clear alternative to folded sheets, towels, a pillow or teddy bear.

Heart Hugger™ is a simple harness fitting over the shoulders, a four inch wide belt around the chest, finished with handles on either end. The chest belt is adjusted to center the handles over the surgical wound, the patient's hand width apart. Squeezing the handles together with one or both hands tightens the chest belt, supporting the chest wall and stabilizing the sternal wound. Completely encircling the chest, it remains loose and passive until activated by the patient.

The Patient is introduced to Heart Hugger™ prior to surgery as a part of their preoperative education. Following surgery (optimally in the ICU/CCU immediately after extubation) patients are fitted with the device. Following discharge, patients wear the device at home over their street clothes for approximately four to six weeks. In this unsupervised setting it is essential that patients be able to stabilize their sternal wound for continuing respiratory therapy exercises and other stress resulting from the resumption of normal activities.

Used in conjunction with contemporary methods of wiring the sternum and suturing tissue layers, maximal sternal wound stability is achieved. The incidence of sternal infection is reduced and sternal dehiscence is practically eliminated. Additionally, preoperative respiratory capacity levels are achieved sooner when the device is used in conjunction with respiratory therapy exercises.

After a short training period, patients operate the Heart Hugger themselves when they feel the need to stabilize their wound. It is a turning point in the patient's perception of recovery. It returns control to the patient. If patients feel that they have some control over the situation that affects them they will perceive the situation to be less stressful, will be less threatened, and will cooperate and perform better. Patients experience more confidence and independence, taking control of their own recovery sooner, exemplifying the true sense of cardiac rehabilitation and keeping them on the clinical pathway.

Sternal Wound Stability (& the Pillow)

Aggressive coughing and deep breathing maneuvers, which frequently initiates coughing, are important for purging the lungs of fluid and inflating the lungs to prevent atelectasis and pneumonia. These maneuvers are initiated in the hospital and are a mandatory part of post discharge respiratory therapy.  Percussive expansion associated with coughing puts extreme stress on the sternal wound. Ambulating, getting into and out of bed or chairs or cars, bowel movements and other normal activities also place strain on the surgical wound site.While patients experience this stress on their surgical wound as pain and the feeling that they are "coming apart," the clinical result may in fact be grave: dehiscence and mediastinal infection.

Sternal stability is crucial in preventing these severe sternal wound complications. Traditionally, prophylactic methods used to achieve sternal stability following a sternotomy has been available only to the extent that folded sheets, towels, a pillow or a teddy bear could be used to "splint" the surgical wound.   These methods, while providing an inward pressure to the sternum, provides no encircling support to the rib cage and chest wall during coughing, is unavailable to the patient when ambulating, and provides no lateral support to stabilize the surgical wound.

Without support, the pain of the surgical wound is often extreme. For this reason, patients often lack the confidence to continue with respiratory therapy exercises and coughing following discharge.

There is a trend toward early discharge of open heart surgery patients.  The risk to these patients in the unsupervised, post discharge setting is two-fold: 1) the patient may be unaware or unable to diagnose a potential surgical wound complication (success in treating sternal wound complications depends upon early recognition and management);  and 2) due to pain considerations, patients often lack the confidence to continue their respiratory therapy exercises in the outpatient setting. Heart Hugger™ can help manage their pain by stabilizing and supporting their surgical wound.

Economic Implications

Return to pre-morbid levels of respiratory function is a major determinant in the discharge of patients. Recovering open heart patients are frequently non-compliant during their respiratory therapy exercises because of pain or fear of pain. Recent federal studies have shown that inadequately managed pain can inhibit recovery, prolong hospitalization and contribute to higher-than-necessary costs. The Wound Support and Pain Management provided by Heart Hugger™ helps keep patients on the clinical pathway.

The post discharge necessity of respiratory therapy exercises cannot be overemphasized. The use of Heart Hugger™ gives patients the confidence and independence to continue these exercises in the unsupervised post discharge setting.

In addition to a high mortality rate, wound complications can be financially devastating to the hospital, particularly the Medicare and co-morbid population. The cost to hospitals for complications and the resulting increased length of stay ranges from $13,453 to $109,118 per complication. (To see how much money your hospital’s heart program can save by using Heart Hugger

Sternal Wound Complications

Sternal wound complications fall into three categories: 1) Deep Subcutaneous Infection, 2) Sternal Infection, and 3) Mediastinal Infection with Sternal Dehiscence.

Mediastinitis can contribute to the development of life threatening illnesses, such as systemic sepsis, respiratory insufficiency, and renal failure.  Mediastinitis occurs as a result of sternal instability and dehiscence and is usually evident from six days to three weeks following surgery.   Most patients are usually discharged by this time. Patients at risk for mediastinitis and dehiscence include: those older than 65 years (the Medicare population), and those suffering from diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, COPD and those subjected to prolonged postoperative ventilation.

The incidence of morbidity and death from sternal wound complications occurs in significant numbers of patients. Upwards of 2.3% of patients may suffer these complications with an associated mortality rate of 13% to 52%.  The incidence of mortality after initial discharge and up to the first postoperative year is nearly as high as hospital mortality.  Heart Hugger™ provides sternal stability and support

Respiratory Complications

The most common respiratory complication is pulmonary collapse. During monotonous tidal ventilation, progressive alveolar atelectasis occurs until a deep breath is taken to apply sufficient pressure to reopen the collapsed alveoli. These deep breaths occur five to ten times hourly in normal resting adults.

Normal lung compliance and alveolar aeration is abolished by general anesthesia, by narcotic drugs, such as morphine and by the effects of the ventilator, with the result that widespread alveolar collapse and fluid buildup is invariably present following surgery.

Deep breathing exercises with emphasis on sustained inspiration to total lung capacity has been consistently effective in inflating alveoli and preventing postoperative pulmonary complications. Preoperative instruction includes the practice of proper deep breathing and coughing maneuvers. Unfortunately, recovering thoracic surgical patients are frequently non-compliant during their respiratory therapy exercises because of pain or fear of pain. Heart Hugger™ provides patients with the pain relief to continue their respiratory therapy and coughing excursions.

Heart Hugger™ can help increase the lung volume of your patients, getting them back to pre-op respiratory levels quicker, keeping them on your clinical pathway.

Be Proactive With Complications

Major complications following thoracic surgery fall into two categories: respiratory complications and wound infections. Especially at risk are those patients with co-morbidities (e.g. diabetes, obesity, emphysema, COPD, etc.) as well as barrel-chested men, large breasted women and patients on a ventilator for a prolonged period.

Respiratory complications are a primary concern in the recovery of the post-surgical patient. Stabilization and return to preoperative levels of respiratory function is a major determinant in the discharge of patients. The use of a Sternum Support Harness provides patients with the confidence and independence to be aggressive with respiratory therapy and coughing, keeping them on the clinical pathway. Following discharge, continuing respiratory therapy exercises are critical to full recovery.

Sternal wound infections increase length of hospitalization more consistently than any other major complication and significantly influences readmission.  Treatment of sternal wound complications requires a multidisciplinary approach for effective patient care.  Use of a Sternum Support Harness to stabilize the sternal wound reduces both respiratory and wound complications, enhancing both quality of care and cost containment.

Providing patients with Heart Hugger Sternum Support Harness gives them the best possible chance at a speedy, uncomplicated recovery. Heart Hugger is the standard of care at more than 340 hospitals worldwide.

How to Use - Sizing and Fitting Instructions

Simple, lightweight and comfortable, Heart Hugger™ provides wound support when needed, making recovery faster and safer.

For Men: Measure at the nipple line GT 500–Small GT 1000-Regular GT 1500-Large GT 2000-X-large For Women: Measure above the breasts 22”-38” 36”-55” 45”-72” 50”-90” 55-96 cm 91-138 cm 114-181 cm 127-228 cm

The easiest way to fit Heart Hugger is during pre-operative orientation.  This allows the patient and the caregiver the opportunity to watch the instructional video and practice Heart Hugger™ use. After surgery: Do not attempt to fit or put on Heart Hugger™ by yourself! Get help! Heart Hugger™ is generally fitted to the patient right after extubation in the ICU by the caregiver.   After detaching the shoulder strap from the handle on one side of the Heart Hugger™ slide the handle under the patient’s arm.  Bring the shoulder strap over the shoulder and reattach to the handle.  Do this on both sides of the patient, having them lean forward to do so, making sure the chest strap material lies flat against the patient’s back.

Heart Hugger is during pre-operative orientation

Heart Hugger is generally fitted to the patient right after extubation in the ICU by the caregiver.   After detaching the shoulder strap from the handle on one side of the Heart Hugger slide the handle under the patient’s arm.  Bring the shoulder strap over the shoulder and reattach to the handle.  Do this on both sides of the patient, having them lean forward to do so, making sure the chest strap material lies flat against the patient’s back.

(IMPORTANT for Patients:  Never try to reach back to put your arm through the shoulder strap - like trying to put on a jacket.  This can result in injuring or aggravating your surgical wound.  Always keep your elbows close to your side and never raise them above your shoulders until your careprovider says that you can.)

Next, the caregiver adjusts both sides of the Velcro® chest belt to center handles over the sternum the patient’s hand length apart.

The Velcro® retention straps above and below the handles keep the handles in place.   Ideally the handles are parallel to each other and evenly spaced away from the sternal wound.  If adjustment is necessary, disconnect the retention straps and slide the handles closer together or farther apart by adjusting the Velcro® chest belt.

Whenever the patient needs to support their surgical wound (during Respiratory Therapy, coughing, sneezing, getting into or out of bed, or cars, etc.) the patient squeezes the handles together using fingertips only.  Caregivers can also use the handles to help patients splint their surgical wound and to help turn the patient in bed or help with other uncomfortable movements.

The most common problem with the handle adjustment is that they are adjusted too close together and not tightening up the chest belt enough to support the surgical wound.  If adjustment is necessary, disconnect the retention straps and slide the handles closer together or farther apart by adjusting the Velcro® chest belt.

For Women, the handles rest above the breasts not around them. The handles might be a bit flared out at the bottom.  This is okay as long as the patient can grasp the handles with their fingertips.  For additional support it is recommended that the patient also be fitted with the Surgi-Support Vest™ for Women.

Sometimes as the patient slides down in bed , the back of Heart Hugger can ride up towards the shoulders causing the handles to be flared at the bottom, making it difficult to squeeze the handles.  To adjust, the caregiver sits the patient forward from the back of the bed just enough to pull downward on the back of the chest strap in the back, bringing the handles into proper alignment.  Securing the bottom retention strap usually eliminates this problem.

Heart Hugger by General Cardiac Technology, Eases Pain of Medicare’s Decision to No Longer Cover Post‐Op complications.

Los Gatos, Ca (March 2009) ‐ Mediastinitis is just one of the Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI) that Medicare will
no longer cover starting in financial year 2009. Heart Hugger ‐ Sternum Support Harness can help prevent this and
other complications after Cardiothoracic Surgery.  Heart Hugger is Medicare approved and FDA classified.
Heart Hugger helps hospitals save money by reducing the chance of infection and post operative complications.
Without sternal support, patients lack the confidence to continue with respiratory therapy exercises and coughing
due to extreme pain. This results in longer hospital stays and increased complication rates, which will now be paid
for by Hospitals, not Medicare.  
Until recently, methods used to attempt sternal stability following a sternotomy have been folded sheets, towels,
pillows and even stuffed animals. These methods provide no encircling support to the rib cage, are unavailable to
the patient when ambulating, and provide no lateral support to stabilize the wound and prevent dehiscence. These
outdated methods can easily fall to the floor, inviting infectious bacteria back to the wound.  
Heart Hugger solves these problems by taking a completely different approach. Heart Hugger consists of shoulder
straps suspending a four inch wide belt around the chest, finished with handles on either end. Heart Hugger is
applied to the patient in the ICU immediately after extubation. Worn over clothing the chest belt is adjusted to
center the handles over the sternal wound, the patient's hand width apart. As the patient squeezes the handles
together the chest belt tightens, supporting the chest wall and stabilizing the sternal wound.  Continuously worn
by the patient there is no risk of it falling to the floor and there are no limitations for use during ambulation.
During the critical period immediately following discharge, Heart Hugger is worn for 2‐4 weeks at home helping
patients return to their normal activities.
What Doctors and Patients say about Heart Hugger:
“I have been a cardiothoracic surgeon for over 20 years practicing in Ohio. Recently I underwent a full
sternotomy…[and]experienced the benefits of Heart Hugger. The stability obtained…with Heart Hugger was vitally
important to me… I now recommend the Heart Hugger for ALL of my patients…”  
Peter M. Pavlina MD, Kettering Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeons, Inc., Surgeon & Patient‐2007
“…I used a heart pillow as well but,…I found Heart Hugger to be twice as effective.”
Dennis S., Patient‐2005
“..Thank you to everyone involved in making, marketing, and distributing it.  I had CABG on December 1, 2008…
I cannot imagine how I would have gotten in and out of bed without Heart Hugger.  I believe that my recovery would
have taken a lot longer without it...”
J. I. "Belle" McCann, Patient‐2008
Contact:

Kelly Baumann General Cardiac Technology, Inc.

15814 Winchester Blvd. Suite 105

Los Gatos, CA 95030

1‐408‐395‐2100

Kelly@hearthugger.com

Make sure your patients use HEART HUGGER

After Cardiac or Thoracic surgery, pain is a fact of life, and there's no mystery about what causes it - stress on the surgical wound. When the handles are squeezed together, Heart Hugger™ Sternum Support Harness circles the rib cage with uniform pressure, providing sternotomy support. Because it is patient operated, it gives patients full-time control over the pain that goes along with every uncomfortable movement and gives them the confidence and independence to do the respiratory therapy and ambulatory exercises necessary for recovery. HEART HUGGER™ is the original sternal support device. It provides better and more consistent support than any therapeutic heart pillow. It is Medicare approved and is Classified by the U.S. FDA as a Therapeutic Medical Binder.

Heart Hugger™ and Surgi-Support Vest™ (a Sternal Support Bra) for Women provide patients with full-time wound stability, sternal support and pain control, in the hospital and at home. That’s why they are part of many Cardiac and Thoracic surgery programs worldwide. They help keep patients on the clinical pathway to recovery.

Laser Cutting and Laser welding

Laser welding with inert gas produces excellent quality contamination-free welds in a variety of materials with much less heat distortion than any other technique. Laser welding is ideally suited for hermetically sealed, vacuum, chemical, and aerospace parts. It is also excellent for medical parts in which no contamination or allowed.

The precise heat control provided by CNC laser welding enables us to weld foils as thin as 0.001″ and hypodermic tubing with walls as small as 0.005″, or less. Good heat control also allows us to routinely weld very thin foils to large housings.

We have special expertise in welding stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, tungsten, income, national, hostelry, cover, copper, alloy 20 and a variety of other metals including unusual and high hardness alloys. We can helium leak test your hermetic parts and we can cut and section weld samples for your critical parts.

Laser welding is the only technique for some products, and it is cost and quality competitive with TIG and MIG for many others.

Laser welding with inert gas produces excellent quality contamination-free welds in a variety of materials with much less heat distortion than any other technique. Laser welding is ideally suited for hermetically sealed, vacuum, chemical, and aerospace parts. It is also excellent for medical parts in which no contamination or dissimilar materials are allowed

Short note for Laser welding and Laser cutting

Laser welding with inert gas produces excellent quality contamination-free welds in a variety of materials with much less heat distortion than any other technique. Laser welding is ideally suited for hermetically sealed, vacuum, chemical, and aerospace parts. It is also excellent for medical parts in which no contamination or allowed.

The precise heat control provided by CNC laser welding enables us to weld foils as thin as 0.001″ and hypodermic tubing with walls as small as 0.005″, or less. Good heat control also allows us to routinely weld very thin foils to large housings.

We have special expertise in welding stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, tungsten, income, national, hostelry, cover, copper, alloy 20 and a variety of other metals including unusual and high hardness alloys. We can helium leak test your hermetic parts and we can cut and section weld samples for your critical parts.

Backlink Indexing – What’s The Big Deal?

It’s common knowledge these days that in order to get high search engine rankings, you need a lot of incoming links to your webpages.

Even for lower competition phrases, it can take a large volume of links to hit the number 1 position for your target key-phrases – and this is particularly the case for newer domains.

The various methods you can employ to get inbound links are covered in detail in other posts, but here’s the problem: only a small percentage of your hard earned inbound links are ever going to be indexed and counted!

In fact, as little as 7% – 20% of your links may be indexed – which is undeniably poor.

If your links aren’t indexed, or to be more precise, if the pages that contain the links back to your site aren’t indexed, the links won’t be counted. And if they aren’t counted, they might as well not even exist.

Nobody wants to waste their time and resources building links that aren’t going to get indexed, so what’s the solution to the problem of backlink indexation?

Firstly, look for links from high quality websites – for example, links from the top article directory, ezine articles.com tend to get indexed very quickly. They also ‘stick’, which basically means that they don’t get de-indexed later on.

So, look for links from high quality websites and blogs with high pr at the top level domain ( or home page ).

The second step is to take steps to get your new link pages indexed, such as pinging, and social bookmarking.

This adds a second level of backlinks ( hence the expression ‘backlinking your backlinks ‘), and alerts the search engine spiders to the existence of the new pages and, by extension, the new links to your site.

The third part of the process is to monitor your links to make sure that they are still indexed. If some of them have fallen away, then consider pinging or bookmarking them again, to regain the attention of the search engine spiders.

If all of this sounds like a lot of work, then don’t worry, you’re not imagining things – it is!

But, if you want good results, this is a very basic overview of what you have to do.