Amrut Ambardekar, MD

Section Head, Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology

Director, Cardiac Transplantation
Director, Cardiac Amyloidosis Program

The Advanced Heart Failure, Mechanical Circulatory Support, and Transplant Program at University of Colorado is the only one in the state where heart transplantations and placement of durable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are performed. It provides state-of-the art treatments for people with heart failure. The program is also widely known for its expertise in clinical, genetics, basic, translational and outcomes research. It offers a subspecialty fellowship in advanced heart failure training. It is consistently in the top 20 heart transplant centers in the country.

The program is focused on the providing comprehensive, personalized care to people with heart failure. The multidisciplinary team has 8 cardiologists board-certified in Advanced Heart Failure, 5 nurse practitioners, and 3 heart failure nurse coordinators, 4 LVAD nurse coordinators, 6 transplant nurse coordinators, a transplant pharmacist, and dedicated nutrition, social work, psychology, physical medicine and financial services. Patients are cared for on the Anschutz Medical Campus in the Heart and Vascular Center, the Transplant Center, and on an inpatient hospital service dedicated exclusively to patients with advanced heart failure, mechanical cardiac-assist devices, and cardiac transplantation. The whole group is committed to providing the highest quality care to patients with complex heart disease.

Collaborative interactions with other cardiology subspecialties are a key aspect of the program’s success. This frequently includes interventional cardiology (e.g. structural heart procedures including percutaneous valve repair [e.g. MitraClip]), electrophysiology (ablation of atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia, placement of ICDs and CRT pacemakers), advanced cardiac imaging services (including echo, CT, MRI, PET etc.), adult congenital heart disease, cardiac surgery, and more.

Meet our Team

	Andreas Brieke, MD Medical Director, Mechanical Circulatory Support Program
	William Cornwell, MD Associate Professor, Medicine-Cardiology
	Prateeti Khazanie, MD Associate Professor, Medicine-Cardiology
	Benjamin Kopecky, MD, PhD Assistant Professor, Medicine-Cardiology
	David Raymer, MD Assistant Professor, Medicine-Cardiology
	Christine Sailer, MD Assistant Professor, Medicine-Cardiology

Get with the Guidelines -- Heart Failure GOLD PLUS

"The American Heart Association has recognized UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital for its continued success in using the Get With the Guidelines – Heart Failure program and applying the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes."