Heart Failure Care

Comprehensive evaluation, advanced therapies, and surgical expertise for patients with heart failure.

Our mission is to provide advanced, compassionate care for patients with heart failure at every stage of their journey.

Understanding Heart Failure

Condition Overview

Heart failure—often called congestive heart failure—is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart cannot pump enough oxygen rich blood to meet the body’s needs. This may result from weakened or stiffened heart muscle or from conditions that place increased demands on the circulatory system.

Symptoms

• Trouble breathing 
• Tiredness 
• Persistent coughing 
• Swelling in legs, ankles, or abdomen 
• Increased heart rate 
• Nausea or decreased appetite

Our Multidisciplinary Care Model

Team-Based Approach

At the University of Colorado, heart failure care is delivered through a coordinated team of cardiac surgeons, advanced heart failure cardiologists, nurse practitioners, and specialty partners. This collaborative model ensures patients receive personalized treatment plans, guideline directed medical therapy, and access to advanced surgical options when needed.

What Patients Can Expect

• Comprehensive evaluation of heart function and symptoms 
• Guideline directed medical therapy 
• IV diuretics and medication optimization 
• Lifestyle and nutrition support, including low sodium diet guidance 
• Coordination with electrophysiology and structural heart specialists

Advanced Treatment Options

Medical & Device Therapies

• Medication management tailored to disease stage 
• Implantable devices (as recommended by cardiology partners) 
• Support for arrhythmia management and structural heart conditions

Mechanical Circulatory Support Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) LVADs are surgically implanted mechanical pumps that support the heart’s ability to circulate blood when it can no longer do so effectively on its own. They may be used as short‑ or long‑term therapy for patients with advanced forms of heart failure. The University of Colorado LVAD Program is the only program in Colorado that offers durable LVAD therapy and is part of the region’s only comprehensive advanced heart failure and heart transplant program.

Temporary Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) Temporary ventricular assist devices can be implanted for relatively short periods to augment blood flow and stabilize patients with advanced disease. Although patients cannot leave the hospital with these devices, they are an important treatment tool which can help with recovery of heart function, or bridge to surgical additional treatment such as transplant or LVAD.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) ECMO provides temporary heart lung support, or lung only support, by oxygenating and circulating blood using machines outside the body. It is used for patients experiencing the most severe forms of cardiovascular and respiratory failure. ECMO is an important treatment tool for individuals suffering from life threatening conditions such as cardiovascular shock, heart attacks, heart failure, severe lung infections and pneumonia, traumatic lung injuries, or smoke inhalation.

Heart Transplant Program

Regional Leadership

The University of Colorado’s Heart Transplant Program—the only heart transplant program in Colorado—has been operating since 1986. As one of the nation’s top 10 centers for heart transplant volume, the program brings deep expertise and exceptional outcomes to patients with advanced heart failure. Patients also benefit from some of the shortest transplant wait times in the region, supported by our commitment to optimizing organ donation and offering a wide range of donation strategies. A transplant may be considered for patients with advanced heart failure who are otherwise healthy enough for surgery.

Patient Journey & Continuum of Care

From Diagnosis to Long Term Support

Heart failure may not be curable, but with the right combination of therapies, many patients maintain active, fulfilling lives. The University of Colorado’s program ensures continuity across:

• Initial diagnosis
• Medical management
• Advanced therapies 
• Surgical intervention 
• Long term follow up and support

Why Choose The University of Colorado

• Multidisciplinary expertise
• Access to advanced surgical options
• Regionally unique transplant and LVAD program
• Integrated care for complex heart failure

Contact Information

Our team is here to support you at every step. Use the options below to request an appointment or learn more about our cardiothoracic surgery providers.