Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute works with referring physicians to provide specialized treatment for adults with heart failure and cardiomyopathy.
The Institute's staff provides close patient monitoring by a dedicated heart failure nurse, as well as a referral to Cedars-Sinai's Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Center for supervised, graded exercise programs.
Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute offers both established and experimental treatments for heart failure, including beta-blocker initiation and titration, clinical trials of vasopetidase inhibitors, ventricular pacing and new oral and intravenous inotropes (such as calcium sensitizers and new phosphodiesterase inhibitors).
For patients with end-stage heart failure who are candidates for cardiac transplantation, Cedars-Sinai surgeons may implant the HeartMateŽ left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to manage the mechanical function of the heart's left ventricle. The LVAD allows the patient additional time and improved health while waiting for a transplant.
Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute's diagnostic services for heart failure include:
- Blood and urine tests
- Cardiopulmonary exercise testing
- Echocardiography
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Nuclear cardiology
Innovative treatment options include:
- Biventricular pacing
- Heart transplantation
- Outpatient infusion therapy
- Ventricular assist devices
An important part of the patient's treatment plan is the comprehensive education provided through the program on nutrition, diet, exercise and heart failure medications.
Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute is currently involved in clinical trials relating to heart failure. These research efforts are designed to explore new avenues for treatments to help individuals with heart failure.
