Advanced Heart Failure Clinic
Director:
James D. Chang, MD
Appointments: 617-667-8800
Multidisciplinary Approach
The Advanced Heart Failure Clinic offers a multidisciplinary approach to managing outpatient and inpatient care for
heart failure patients.
What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a disease of progressive damage of the muscle of the pumping chambers of the heart. It is most often due to prior heart damage from
coronary artery disease or high blood pressure, but it can also be triggered by infections, nutritional problems, and inherited gene defects passed through families.
Heart failure is the number one cause of hospitalization in adults in the United States. It limits activities at home and in the workplace due to symptoms of breathlessness, fatigue, and fluid retention (edema). In addition, it is a major cause of premature death. Approximately one of five adults with mild symptoms of
heart failure will experience unexpected sudden death within two years.
Fortunately, recent advances in treatment, which have been tested in very large clinical trials involving thousands of patients worldwide, have demonstrated key therapies which are of major benefit in heart failure. National Consensus Guidelines for the treatment of heart failure now identify proven therapies which greatly reduce the risk of premature death, improve symptoms, and decrease the need for hospitalization.
One-On-One Education
Patients receive one-on-one education from a nurse practitioner regarding heart failure, nutrition, exercise and lifestyle adjustments. Intensive management of symptoms and medications are provided by telephone between visits as needed.
Communication with Referring Physicians
The team works closely with referring physicians, specialists and home health care agencies to decrease the need for repeated hospitalizations
Latest Diagnostic and Treatment Modalities
The clinic provides patients with the latest diagnostic and treatment modalities in the management of heart failure, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, novel drugs and devices and an outpatient infusion clinic.
On-site Assessment for Heart Transplant
We also offer formal on-site assessment for heart transplant through a collaborative program with Tufts Medical Center.