University of Colorado Hospital is nationally recognized for its heart failure and cardiomyopathy program, and we are a regional leader in providing mechanical circulatory support.
We manage the care of more than 800 patients within a six-state area, including Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico and western Kansas and Nebraska.
A Gold Seal Program
University of Colorado Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for its Heart Failure program by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care. The certification award recognizes UCH’s dedication to continuous compliance with The Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards.
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.
Read About Our "Get with the Guidelines" Designation
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association recognize this hospital for achieving at least two years of 85% or higher adherence to all Get With the Guidelines (SM) program quality indicators to improve quality of patient care and outcomes.
Learn more about this designation
Types of Procedures
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) may be performed if the arteries bringing blood to your heart (the coronaries) become so thickened and hardened with fatty deposits called plaque that blood flow is blocked. This blockage creates a risk of heart attack and death. During CABG surgery, your surgeon grafts a healthy blood vessel to the heart and reroutes blood around the blockage.
Aortic Valve Repair/Replacement
The aortic valve lies between the left lower chamber of the heart (the ventricle), and the aorta, the largest artery in the body. The valves of your heart open and close tightly to ensure that blood flows in only one direction and does not leak backward.
The aortic valve may not function properly due to:
- Disease
- Narrowing (stenosis) caused by calcium deposits on the leaflets (the parts that open) of the valves
- Incomplete closure (prolapse)
If an aortic valve malfunction seriously restricts the flow of blood to your heart, your surgeon may decide to repair or replace it with open heart surgery.
Mitral Valve Repair/Replacement
The mitral valve lies between the heart’s left upper chamber (atrium), and left ventricle. As with the aortic valve, the mitral valve may malfunction, causing leakages that diminish blood flow to the heart.
If the mitral valve malfunction seriously affects the flow of blood to your heart, your surgeon may decide to repair or replace it with open heart surgery. The vast majority of these surgeries succeed in repairing the mitral valve.
Ventricular Assist Devices
Ventricular assist devices provide mechanical circulatory support for the heart. The implanted devices help the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) to pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.
The devices may be used:
- Short term to assist in recovery from surgery
- As a bridge to assist patients waiting for a new heart
- For patients whose hearts require long-term pumping help
University of Colorado Hospital provides a full range of ventricular assist devices (VADs) to help the right, left or both ventricles pump blood to the lungs and to the rest of the body. They are designed for:
- Patients who are recovering from surgery and require short-term assistance of from 24 hours to six weeks
- Bridge to Transplant: Patients who are on a waiting list to receive a heart for transplant and need an assist device as a “bridge to transplantation”
- Destination Therapy: Patients who require ventricular assistance with a permanent implant.
Some VADS meant for short-term use are placed outside the body. Other VADs intended for long-term support are implanted in the body. All of these devices are powered by an external source (batteries or electricity). Patients with long-term VADs may be discharged from the hospital to continue their care at home.
Many VADs are air-driven (pneumatic) devices. The pump is connected to a driveline, which is attached to a battery-powered unit. The unit senses when the ventricle is full, and signals to control the heart rate. It also monitors the pump to make sure it is working correctly.
UCH provides extensive education and support for those patients who require a ventricular assist device, including:
- Lectures
- Home visits
- 24-hour, seven-day-a-week pager contact
Heart Transplant Surgery
Heart transplantation is available for patients whose cardiac disease is too severe to be treated with medicine or surgery and whose life expectancy is less than one year.
Medical Team
Heart Failure Specialists
Cardiologist - a doctor who specialize in study of the actions of the heart and its diseases
Interventional cardiologist - a cardiologist who specializes in the catheter-based treatment of heart disease
Interventional radiologist - a doctor who specializes in minimally invasive, targeted treatments performed using imaging for guidance
Cardiac sonographer - a doctor who specializes in the use of sound wave imaging (ultrasound) to evaluate the anatomy of the heart
Cardiac Electrophysiologist - a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating irregular heart rhythms caused by problems with the heart’s electrical system
Cardiovascular medical genetics specialist - a doctor who specializes in the study of the genetic basis of the workings of and diseases of the heart.
Other Heart Failure Staff
Registered nurses - nurses licensed in the state of Colorado who conducts medical evaluations, takes patient histories and provides ongoing care for patients
Nurse practitioner - a registered nurse who has completed advanced education and training on how to manage common medical conditions, including chronic illnesses
Tests
Cardiac Catheterization
To examine pressure and blood flow in your heart, your doctor may thread a very thin, flexible tube called a catheter through a small incision and into a blood vessel in your arm, leg or groin. The catheter is then threaded into the right or left side of your heart.
When the catheter is properly placed, a dye is injected. This helps your doctor to see X-ray pictures of the heart (angiogram) and detect if there are blockages in the arteries.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram (ECHO) uses sound waves to create pictures of the heart.
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is used to determine the rate and regularity of your heartbeat. The ECG is administered by attaching wires to your body. The wires detect electrical signals from the heart, which are recorded on a machine for the doctor’s review.
Holter Monitors
Holter monitors are portable ECG units worn by the patient to monitor the heart 24 hours a day.
Exercise Stress Test
This test evaluates how well your heart is functioning. During the stress test, you walk on a treadmill while a machine monitors your:
- Heart rhythm
- Blood pressure
- Other vital signs
Nuclear Stress Test
An exercise stress test that includes an injection of a small amount of a radioactive substance through an intravenous line. The material reaches your heart as you are exercising. Following the exercise test, you will have X-ray pictures taken of your heart. The radioactive material helps to illuminate areas that are blocked and may not be receiving a sufficient blood supply.
Drug Tests
If you cannot perform an exercise stress test, your doctor may use drugs that dilate (widen) your blood vessels. After the drugs are injected into your veins, you will receive an injection of radioactive material to help show areas of blockage in the arteries.
Thyroid Function Test
The thyroid gland, which controls hormone production, can play a role in heart failure if it does not function properly. Your doctor can test your thyroid function with blood, imaging and other tests.
Treatments
Treatment for heart failure starts with placing less stress on the heart. Doing so may require that you make lifestyle changes, including:
- Limiting salt, fat and fluids in your diet
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining an appropriate weight
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting or eliminating alcohol consumption
- Reducing stress
Sometimes your doctor will prescribe medications to treat your heart failure. Among them:
- ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors reduce pressure on the blood vessels by dilating (widening) them
- Beta blockers slow down the heart rate and can help widen blood vessels
- Digitalis slows down the heart rate and increases the strength of the heart’s contractions
- Drugs that control hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Diuretics that help remove excess fluid from the body
Patient Education
Living With Heart Failure
Heart failure can be treated. By following the treatment regimen prescribed for you by your doctor, you can manage the effects of heart failure and significantly improve your quality of life. Among the treatment steps you should follow:
- Making regular visits to your heart failure doctor or nurse
- Taking all medicine your doctor prescribes for heart failure
- Exercising
- Eating foods that are low in fat, cholesterol and sodium (salt)
Getting a Second Opinion about Heart Failure
The doctors and staff at the University of Colorado Hospital Cardiac & Vascular Center are happy to provide second opinions for people who have been diagnosed with Heart Failure.
We pride ourselves on providing individualized, around-the-clock care for both our patients and their families.
Our nursing staff has 75 years of combined experience with heart failure and is dedicated to caring for the “whole” person and family. Our goal is to help you learn how to live with and control your disease.