Vanderbilt Heart Signature Program

Congestive heart failure is the loss of your heart’s pumping power.  Congestive heart failure can happen suddenly, but more often it develops over several years. It can be treated by drugs and in some cases by surgery.

Since each person is an individual, treatment options for Congestive Heart Failure vary. Some of the treatment options include lifestyle changes, medications, prevention of coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass grafting, implantable cardioverter defibrillatorand heart transplant.

During coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, your physician will restore normal blood flow to your heart. This is usually done by inserting a new blood vessel that goes around the blocked artery. That new vessel is usually taken from another part of your body. This process is called grafting.

A cardioverter defibrillator is a device that monitors your heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock if a dangerous rhythm is detected. That shock will restore your normal rhythm.

Every person with heart failure will receive medication or medical therapy. Medical therapy has been shown to improve outcomes and help symptoms. For some patients, it's their only treatment option. For many others, medications are given along with another treatment such as a coronary intervention or bypass surgery.

If your heart failure is caused by coronary artery disease, you should receive treatment to prevent your condition from getting worse. This treatment is considered secondary prevention. For some patients whose heart failure is caused by coronary artery disease, coronary artery bypass grafting can improve heart function. Your doctor will know if this is an option for you.

There are two other treatments that some patients with heart failure may require.

• Some patients with heart failure are at higher risk for a condition called ventricular tachycardia, which is having a heartbeat that is too rapid in the upper heart chambers. These patients benefit from an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
• Heart transplant is a final option for heart failure patients when other treatment options have not helped, but not every patient is a candidate for transplantation.

Your doctor will recommend the treatment option that is right for you.

Providers:
Thomas DiSalvo, MD
Lisa Mendes, MD
Allen Naftilan, MD, PhD
Henry Ooi, MD
Douglas Sawyer, MD, PhD
Mark Wigger, MD

Melissa Smith, APRN-BC