Advanced Heart Failure

This month we begin our new series on Advanced Heart Failure. For those of you who are new to transplant we begin with an overview of heart failure.

Heart Failure Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart failure is often called congestive heart failure because of fluid buildup in the lungs, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and the arms and legs. It is a serious condition that occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It does not mean that the heart has stopped. The majority of heart failure cases are chronic heart failures.

In the United States, advanced heart failure is increasing in numbers.

• About 5.1 million people in the United States have heart failure.
• One in nine deaths in 2009 included heart failure as a contributing cause.
• About half of people who develop heart failure die within five years of diagnosis.
• Heart failure costs the nation an estimated $32 billion each year. This total includes the cost of health care services, medications to treat heart failure, and missed days of work.

Click here to read more facts about heart failure from the CDC.

LifeTrac Guidelines

Advanced heart failure programs that include heart transplant as a treatment option are an important part of the LifeTrac Network. Our clients have access to 56 adult heart programs and 33 pediatric heart programs throughout the United States.

We look for programs that encompass the following attributes:

• Comprehensive - An advanced heart failure program that includes mechanical circulatory support and transplantation.
• Experienced Team - A staff that is experienced in the field and a center committed to heart failure management, including transplantation.
• Multidisciplinary -Demonstrated integration of heart failure management, including transplantation provided thorough patient evaluation, transplant care, and post-transplant follow-up.
• Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement - Program specific initiatives that continually strive to improve process and outcomes related to heart failure management and transplantion.
• Emphasis on Innovation & Research - Demonstrated commitment to advancing the science of transplantation by providing cutting edge patient management strategies, investigative research protocols, and publications in peer-reviewed medical journals.

This information and more can be found on our website under the FAQ section.

Treatment Options

Heart failure is a widespread condition that develops when the heart muscle weakens and is unable to pump sufficient amounts of blood throughout the body. It is a chronic condition that worsens over time and is typically caused by persistent high blood pressure, heart attack, valve disease, and other forms of heart disease or birth defects. Left untreated the lack of adequate blood flow causes the organs to progressively fail resulting in numerous medical complications that erode a person’s quality of life and often leads to death.

Click here to read about heart failure treatment options and frequently asked questions.

Many symptoms associated with heart failure can be treated with drugs, medical devices including pacemakers and internal cardiac defibrillators, and lifestyle changes. However, none of these treatments can halt the progression of the disease.

Click here to read more about current treatment options.

In next month's newsletter we will talk about Mechanical Circulatory Support (MCS) devices and equipment.