Oct. 6, 2004 Birmingham Zoo gorilla recovering well with new cardiac device A 24-year-old gorilla with cardiac disease continues to progress at the Birmingham Zoo after being the world’s first gorilla to receive a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device, a small pacemaker-size device that improves pumping of the heart. “He is recovering well and getting plenty of rest. His appetite and activity levels are improving each day,” said Dr. Marie Rush, the zoo’s director of veterinary services. “He will hopefully be able to return to his exhibit within two to three weeks.”  Dr. Rush brought together a veterinary and human medical team on Sept. 25 to perform the six-hour operation on Babec, a 400-pound western lowland gorilla with end-stage heart failure. Surgeons performed the procedure in the zoo’s veterinary hospital. The 14-person team consisted of veterinarians from the zoo and Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, medical doctors from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and private practice, and representatives of the Guidant Corporation and Philips Medical Systems. “Everyone donated time and services, while private companies donated the device and surgical equipment,” said Dr. Rush, a 1998 AU veterinary graduate. “The public exposure received in the media a few weeks ago helped bring everyone together to see if we could try the procedure on Babec.” The procedure was the same as when done on humans. Surgeons implanted the CRT device under the shoulder muscle and placed endocardial leads in the heart’s right atrium, right ventricle and the left ventricle through the coronary vasculature. “It is helping his heart to work more efficiently, which is increasing his energy, appetite and activity,” said Dr. Ray Dillon, the Jack O. Rash Chair of Medicine in the AU College of Veterinary Medicine. “Although this procedure will not cure his heart disease, it will hopefully improve both Babec's quality and length of life. I noted an immediate improvement in cardiac function after the device was activated.” Veterinarian Dr. Jeff Hall of the Guidant Corporation arranged for his company to donate the Renewal 3 CRT device. Dr. Hall is an adjunct professor for both the AU College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “This reflects Guidant’s generosity,” Dr. Dillon said. “For the past 12 years that I have worked Dr. Hall , Guidant has donated pacemakers to the College of Veterinary Medicine for implantation in client dogs.” Philips Medical Systems also supported Babec’s operation by shipping from Texas a 2,500-pound fluoroscopy unit, which shows real time radiograph images of the heart and major vessels, and an echocardiograph machine.  “We appreciate everyone’s efforts in this ground-breaking procedure to extend and improve Babec’s quality of life, which was our goal in performing the implant,” added Dr. Rush. Return To News