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UPMC Advanced Heart Failure Center

The Advanced Heart Failure Center at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Pittsburgh, Pa., is a leader in innovative approaches to cardiovascular care.

Together, we strive to provide expert care that results in improved outcomes, no matter how complex the case. We truly care about our patients and get to know each one's story.

In the News

Lori McCullough needed a heart transplant, and thanks to a donor heart, and the care of Dr. Jonathan Holtz, she received life-saving surgery.  Read their story.

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About the Advanced Heart Failure Center

When you’re faced with congestive heart failure or another serious heart condition, you want the most specialized care and the latest treatments.

The UPMC Advanced Heart Failure Center is among the nation’s leading programs of its kind, and the only full-service heart failure center in western Pennsylvania.

At UPMC, you have access to state-of-the-art heart treatments and procedures, such as:

Tailored heart treatments

Our heart specialists:

Whether treatment involves recovery, repair, or replacement, you can be confident that you're receiving superior cardiac care from a team that's among the best in the world.

Excellence in cardiac care

Our center — one of the largest in the United States — is known for excellence in:

Our multidisciplinary team includes:

  • Cardiologists and cardiac surgeons
  • Physician assistants
  • Clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners
  • Bioengineers
  • Dietitians and exercise physiologists
  • Social workers
  • Doctors, nurses, and other providers from the Palliative and Supportive Institute

» To make an appointment with an expert at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, call 1-855-876-2484 (UPMC-HVI).

Our Experts at the UPMC Advanced Heart Failure Center

The multidisciplinary team at the Advanced Heart Failure Center strives to deliver the best in comprehensive cardiac care.

Our world-class cardiologists and cardiac surgeons apply their considerable expertise to helping people live healthier lives.

Cardiologists

Cardiac surgeons

» To make an appointment with an expert at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, call 1-855-876-2484.

Types of LVADs

Whether you require an LVAD for a short amount of time or as a more permanent solution, there are several devices available to be implanted.

Temporary

  • Impella®
    • Very small heart pump
    • Can be inserted percutaneously or by using small incisions. Doctors can then advance the device to the heart through an artery.
    • For temporary in-hospital use to protect the heart during surgery, such as during stent placement, recovery after a heart attack, or as a bridge to another therapy.
    • "Unloads" the left ventricle by pulling blood and releasing it into the aorta.

Durable

  • HeartMate 3®
    • Connected to the left side of the heart and moves oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the rest of the body.
    • Comes with a system controller which powers the LVAD and can fit inside of a pocket.
    • Gentle blood handling minimizes complications.
    • Intended to provide long-term support to the heart in patients with end-stage heart failure.

Contact the UPMC Heart Transplant Program

For more information about heart transplants, LVADs or to make an appointment for an evaluation, visit the UPMC Heart Transplant Program website, call 412-648-6202, or email cttransplant@upmc.edu.

Impella® is a trademark of ABIOMED, Inc.

HeartMate 3® is a trademark of Abbott.

Contact the Advanced Heart Failure Center at UPMC

For Patients

We welcome your questions and comments and hope to help in any way that we can.

For more information on the Advanced Heart Failure Center, or to make an appointment:

For Physicians

For non-urgent referrals, call the UPMC Advanced Heart Failure Center at 1-844-876-2432 (UPMC-HEART).

To refer a patient or request a consultation, call UPMC's 24-hour physician referral service at:

  • 1-800-544-2500 or
  • 412-647-7000