Heart Failure Care
UC San Diego Health provides comprehensive, compassionate care for patients with every stage of heart failure, whether it's acute or chronic.
Our team works together to make sure you have access to the latest diagnostic tools, treatment options and even research studies exploring new therapies.
Led by Drs. Eric Adler, Howie Tran and Marcus Anthony Urey, our multidisciplinary team includes cardiac imaging specialists, electrophysiologists, interventional cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons. We also have dedicated clinics and a pharmacist focused on caring for heart failure patients.
What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, happens when your heart doesn't pump as much blood as your body needs. The term "failure" doesn't mean that the heart has stopped — only that it's not pumping blood as effectively as it should.
Heart Failure Treatment Options
While there is no cure for heart failure caused by damaged heart muscle, there are many treatments to help you manage symptoms and live well.
Your care team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan to fit your age, medical history, the cause, type and stage of your heart failure, and your preferences. Your treatment options may include:
- Medications
- Cardiac resynchronization (pacemakers and defibrillators)
- Ablation therapy for arrhythmias
- Alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Coronary artery bypass grafting
- Heart valve replacement or repair
- Ventricular assist devices (VADs)
- Heart transplant
Advanced Support With ECMO
ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) is a life-support technology that can temporarily replace the function of the heart and/or lungs. It is typically used if you have severe heart or lung disease and need extra support while you recover or wait for a transplant.
Our expertise includes:
- ECMO support followed by advanced respiratory and cardiovascular therapies, including VAD, heart transplant and lung transplant
- A multidisciplinary team approach with specialists in emergency medicine, cardiovascular medicine and pulmonary disease, working closely with nurses and respiratory therapists
- Membership in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization, which means you receive ECMO care that meets high international standards
Heart Failure Specialists
Cardiovascular Locations
See heart care locations conveniently located around San Diego County.
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