Following the diagnosis of heart failure, Darrin Reasby turned to the experts in the Comprehensive Heart Failure and Transplant Program to keep him moving while he waited for a heart transplant. Read Darrin's Story.
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.
Why Choose Froedtert & MCW Facilities
Excellent outcomes. Cutting edge research and technology. Nationally respected and highly experienced physician specialists. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to care focused on optimal outcomes for each patient – mind, body and spirit. These factors combine to make choosing care at our facilities a lifesaving decision.
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. Learn more about heart failure.
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 valvular 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. Our success rate with the bridge approach is significantly higher than the national average. 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 machine, or ECMO, 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
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 Advanced Heart Failure Care and Heart Transplant Program is located in the Center for Advanced Care on the Froedtert Hospital campus.
International Patients
We are here to help international patients arrange for their care at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
