HMH - Advanced Heart Failure & Cardiomyopathy

What is Heart Failure:

Heart failure occurs when the heart doesn’t pump as efficiently as it should to deliver oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the body. This results in fatigue, shortness of breath and fluid retention that can permanently damage your heart. This does not develop suddenly, but happens over time as the heart’s pumping ability declines and cannot keep up with the workload.

The pumping function of the heart is measured by the Ejection Fraction or EF. A normal Ejection Fraction is between 55-65%. 

Causes of Heart Failure:

• Valve problems
• Occurs when one or more of the heart’s four valves don’t function properly. Mainly when the valves don’t open and close properly. 
• Chronic high blood pressure (Hypertension)
• Happens when the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high 
• Restrictive Cardiomyopathy such as Amyloid
• This is a protein metabolism disorder which creates complexes that go to the heart and replace normal heart tissue. Long-term this affects the heart drastically. 
• Heart Attack or Coronary Artery Disease
• Occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen because blood flow has been blocked or somehow limited causing the heart muscle to lose its strength or function. 
• Pulmonary Hypertension
• The blood vessels that bring blood to the lungs are narrowed and thickened, causing high blood pressure in the lungs. This condition makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the lungs, which can damage the heart and lungs. 

Specific Treatments 

Advanced heart failure can be treated with non-invasive therapies, including the following:

• Medications
• Medications to control heart failure symptoms.
• Customized treatments based on individual patient needs
• Extensive Patient Education
• Experienced nurse educators to ensure patients and families under treatment plan and disease process in a supportive environment
• Multidisciplinary team consultations to determine the best plan of care/treatment options including the Optimizer and Barostim

However, advanced heart failure treatment plans can also include implantable devices to help with the heart function (pumping ability).

• Internal defibrillators
• Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: An ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) is a small device placed in the chest that monitors the heart rhythm and delivers electric shocks to stop irregular heartbeats. 
• Pacemaker Implantation - to help stimulate the heart to beat better
• A pacemaker is a small device that’s placed in the chest to help the heart beat regularly by sending electrical signals. This can improve the quality of life for people with slow or irregular heartbeats and can prevent serious complications. 
• Impella Heart Pumps
• A temporary heart pump that can allow the heart to rest during an acute or emergent event. It will pump blood to the rest of the body while the heart heals or bridges to a next level of support.
• Ventricular Assist Device 
• A VAD is a device that helps a weakened heart pump blood to the rest of the body. This can bridge patients to heart transplantation or serve as therapy for those who are not transplant candidates. 

Our physicians have the most advanced training and education with collaborative relationships for heart transplant.

Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment Options

Pulmonary Hypertension treatments include oral tablet medications, inhaled or nebulizer devices, subcutaneous, or intravenous therapy. Pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation programs are also offered to help patients improve their exercise capacity and efficiency of the heart and lungs. In some conditions of pulmonary hypertension, we can use a small sensor, about the size of a paperclip, placed in the pulmonary artery called a Cardiomems, to measure blood pressure in the lungs. We also refer patients with advanced pulmonary hypertension for lung transplant evaluation when necessary.

Why Choose Our Program?

Patient-Centered Approach

At the heart of our practice and the program at Hackensack University Medical Center is a commitment to patient-centered care. We prioritize open communication, collaboration, and compassion, ensuring that patients feel supported and empowered throughout their journey with us.

Referring Physician Collaboration

We understand the importance of collaboration with referring physicians in providing seamless care for our patients. Through open communication and shared decision-making, we work closely with referring providers to ensure continuity of care and optimal patient outcomes.

Discover the Difference

Whether you're a patient seeking advanced treatment options or a referring physician looking to partner with a trusted cardiovascular center, we invite you to discover the difference of our cutting-edge cardiac surgery practice at Hackensack University Medical Center. Your heart health is our priority, and we're here to provide you with the highest quality care every step of the way.

Contact Us:

To refer a patient for advanced heart failure or pulmonary hypertension management at Hackensack University Medical Center, please visit our website at https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/services/heart-care/heart-failure.