Heart Failure

Heart “failure” means the heart is not pumping effectively enough to meet the body’s needs for oxygen-rich blood. Often, a person with heart failure may have a buildup of fluid in the tissues, called edema. Heart failure edema is called congestive heart failure (CHF). It can occur gradually or suddenly, and there are more than 200 possible causes. Some mild forms of heart failure may be reversible, and people may live for many years after diagnosis. Our treatment is aimed at helping people with heart failure live a full life.

Heart Failure Causes

Heart failure develops when the heart becomes weakened after an injury, such as a heart attack, or because of chronic conditions such as: 

• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart valve disease
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Age
• Toxins (drugs, alcohol or viral infection). 

Patients with heart failure may find that their condition worsens over time, despite appropriate treatment. That can be an indication of advanced heart failure.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association recognizes Froedtert Hospital and Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital with the Get With the Guidelines^® — Heart Failure Gold Plus achievement award.

In addition, the organization also recognizes Froedtert West Bend Hospital with Get With the Guidelines^® — Heart Failure Silver Plus award.

Why Choose Froedtert & MCW Facilities

The Comprehensive Heart Failure and Transplant Program offers comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care for advanced heart failure and heart transplant patients. 

Our experienced team of specialists offers patients leading-edge treatment choices found only at an academic medical center. Froedtert Hospital's heart transplant program began in 1985 and is home to one of the fastest growing advanced heart failure and ventricular assist device programs in the state.

Caring for patients with advanced heart failure requires a host of expertise, resources, experience and compassion.

Our multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive treatment for the whole patient, including ventricular assist devices (VAD) and heart transplantation.

Advanced Diagnostics

Heart failure is an impairment of the heart’s ability to supply the rest of the body. It is a chronic, progressive condition, but people can live for years if they are properly treated. And, there are more than 200 potential causes of heart failure, from coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and diabetes to heart valve disease, obesity and viral infection.

Diagnosing the cause and extent of a patient’s heart failure is vital. It may require virtually every cardiac diagnostic tool and depends on each patient’s needs. Echocardiography, cardiac MRI, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, cardiac biopsy, right heart catheterization and other diagnostic tests may be used to assess a patient’s heart function. See our complete list of advanced cardiac diagnostic tools.

Comprehensive Treatment Options, Including VADs

A full spectrum of treatment options is offered including total artificial hearts and ventricular assist devices (VADs). We were awarded the Gold Seal of Approval by The Joint Commission for their Adult VAD Destination Therapy Program. We have one of the fastest growing advanced heart failure and VAD programs in the nation.

A VAD can serve as a “bridge” to those awaiting transplant, allowing them to return home while they wait for a donor heart. A VAD may also be the “destination” therapy, with no plans for a heart transplant. Learn more about VADs.

Extensive Heart Transplant Experience

Heart transplant patients can feel confident knowing that our heart care experts have been performing heart transplants since 1985. The team has extensive experience in transplant procedures, which have offered patient survival rates of 20 years and beyond.

This experience combines with the latest technology and techniques throughout the patient care experience to make possible the best patient outcomes. 

Our program was the first in Wisconsin to use CARDIOHELP, an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, machine, which is a portable machine for heart and lung support in very sick patients. The device maintains blood and oxygen circulation outside of the body for several hours or even days. Learn more about Heart Transplant

Excellent Follow-up Care Makes a Critical Difference

Close follow-up care is vital for anyone with heart failure. Sudden or gradual changes in a patient’s symptoms or their overall health can signal the need for adjustments to their therapy. We pay close attention to where our patients are in their disease and their treatment. Heart failure is a chronic disease requiring lifelong care, and our goal is to help our patients feel as good as they can for as long as they can.

A Progression of Therapy

The cause of heart failure helps determine the best treatment approach. For example, if the heart failure is caused by a valve disorder, then surgery is usually performed. If it is caused by a disease, such as anemia, then the disease is treated. Several other therapies may be tried before a VAD or heart transplant is considered, including: medical management; surgical procedures to correct underlying problems; and use of a biventricular pacemaker (cardiac resynchronization therapy) or implanted defibrillator device.

Expert Care for Even the Sickest Patients

Advanced heart failure patients often have other serious medical conditions that require expert care. As the only academic medical center in eastern Wisconsin, we have a vast array of experts and specialists who collaborate to deliver the best care possible for even the sickest patients. In fact, we often see patients who have been refused at other centers because the number of medical issues they face and the severity of their disease. Our specialists also see patients at our outreach clinics in Fond du Lac, Wis., and Sheboygan, Wis.

Research

Because we are a leading academic medical center, research is central to our work. Medical College of Wisconsin physicians are continually participating in and conducting significant research studies to further understand the causes of heart failure and identify innovative treatments. Our patients can participate in local and national clinical trials, which can give them access to the latest treatment options. By looking for new ways to treat heart failure, we may also be reducing the need for heart transplants.

Second Opinion Program 

Our Cardiac Second Opinion Program is an opportunity to explore more options regarding your heart condition.

Locations

The Comprehensive Heart Failure and Transplant Program is located in the Center for Advanced Care on the Froedtert Hospital campus.

Our specialists also see patients at our outreach clinics in Fond du Lac, Wis., and Sheboygan, Wis.