About Heart Failure
Heart failure is a serious and costly medical condition. It means the heart cannot keep up with its workload. As a result, the body and its organs may not get the oxygen it needs, which disturbs the normal functioning of the organs.
Fluid Overload
When the heart cannot keep up, the body retains water and salt. This is commonly referred to as a fluid overload, edema, or congestion. The extra fluid in turn increases the burden on the weakened heart.
There are several forms of heart failure and heart failure may have different causes. Retaining water and salt and symptoms of fluid overload can occur with all forms.
Heart Failure is Very Common
Heart Failure affects approximately 1 in every 10 people in the U.S. Medicare population. Worsening heart failure accounts for $14 billion or 3.9% of total annual Medicare spending. And the numbers are increasing due to the aging population. The prevalence of heart failure in the U.S. is expected to rise to more than 8 million adults by 2030.
26 Million
People Worldwide
Affected by Heart Failure
6.7 Million
People in the U.S.
Affected by Heart Failure
8 Million
People in the U.S.
projected to have Heart Failure by 2030
The Main Treatment is Diuretics
More than 90% of patients with fluid overload are treated with diuretics alone. Diuretics help the body get rid of extra fluid and salt by causing the kidneys to make more urine. Flushing out this excess fluid decreases the burden on the weakened heart and improves symptoms.
Furosemide, the active ingredient of Lasix® has the been the leading diuretic for heart failure patients for more than 50 years.
However, currently most patients receive furosemide by IV, resulting in multi-day hospital stays and high cost of care.
More Than
Hospitalizations Annually Due to Heart Failure
Emergency room visits and hospitalizations are common for fluid overload in heart failure. It is one of the most common reasons for hospital admission in individuals over the age of 65.
Hospitalizations are hard on patients, particularly the elderly. They often lose muscle mass, self-care functions, and are at risk for complications from the stay. There is also the burden and stress for the family and loved ones.
The High Cost of Heart Failure
Heart failure is a leading cause of high-cost inpatient care. The most common reason for hospital admissions is fluid overload which is treated with IV diuretics over a several day in-patient stay in the hospital.
The problem is expected to double over the next 10 years because of the aging population and increased survival.
Our goal is to reduce the financial burden of heart failure while improving treatment options. The healthcare cost that subcutaneous furosemide may impact is $14.4 billion. *
* Cost of medicare for treatment of worsening heart failure in the U.S. (2015)
75%
The cost of worsening heart failure is $14.4 billion or approximately 75%.
$20 Billion
The total direct medical cost for treatment of heart failure in the US alone
1 in 25
dollars paid by Medicare that goes to hospital treatment for worsening heart failure
A Better Way
We believe that patients should not have to be admitted into a hospital just to receive effective diuretic treatment.
Our team at SQ Innovation has developed the a subcutaneous Infusor to provide hospital IV-strength diuresis for at-home use.
The new drug and Infusor have not been approved by the FDA or other regulatory agencies.