The next NDSU Science Café will examine pioneering research to help heart failure patients.

Dan Ewert, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Ben Braaten, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, will present "Mending broken hearts: NDSU team develops new pacemaker technology," scheduled for Tuesday, March 8, at 7 p.m. in Stoker’s Basement, Hotel Donaldson, 101 N. Broadway.

NDSU researchers are exploring an innovative pacemaker system that stimulates several portions of the heart, but requires no wires or internal batteries. New results on the leading-edge research will be presented.

The work is important because heart disease is a leading cause of death in America. About 550,000 new cases of systolic heart failure are diagnosed each year, with 287,000 associated deaths annually.

Current pacemaker systems electrically activate two regions of the heart, but up to 30 percent of patients do not respond well to the treatment. The promising research looks to stimulate several portions of the heart, without implanting numerous wires that can restrict blood flow.

Attendees younger than 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The event is free and open to the public.

Science Café is sponsored by the NDSU College of Science and Mathematics.

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