Heart Failure

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart loses its ability to efficiently pump blood to the body.  The causes of heart failure, or cardiomyopathy, include hypertension, ischemia, family history, viral infections and valve disease.  Sometimes the cause is unknown.

In the diagram to the left, the upper panel shows a normal heart which effectively pumps blood to the body.  The lower panel shows a failing heart due to a heart attack. The pumping chamber, the left ventricle, pumps much less effectively and delivers less blood to the body.

About 5 million people in the United States suffer from some degree of heart failure.  It is one of the most common causes of hospitalization.  Medical management is the first line of treatment for patients with heart failure, and it is usually quite successful.

Many patients with heart failure will need a defibrillator for the prevention of sudden cardiac death.  To learn more about this deadly arrhythmia and defibrillator placement, click here.

HEART FAILURE SURGERY

Some otherwise healthy patients will have a worsening of their heart function which will lead to premature death without intervention.

Heart transplantation remains the gold standard of treatment for end stage heart disease.  The national 5 year survival rate for heart transplantation is currently about 70%.  The evaluation procedure for potential heart transplant candidates is complex, and candidates are screened for coexisting diseases, reliability of follow-up, and family/ support structure.  These factors and more are considered so that patients have the greatest chance of long term survival after transplantation.

Not all patients in need of a heart transplant will be able to wait until a heart donor becomes available.  Fortunately, there are devices which can function as a “bridge-to-transplant.”  The TCI Heartmate and Thoratec ventricular assist devices (VAD) support the patient’s circulation while waiting for an appropriate heart donor.

Each patient being considered for a heart transplant or ventricular assist device requires highly individualized care.  If you have questions about the surgical options for heart failure, contact Dr. Pigott.