Advanced Heart Failure Team Accepting Patient Referrals

General Referral Guidelines

Patients with the following cardiovascular conditions should be considered for referral to our Advanced Heart Failure team:

• NYHA Class III or IV (despite medical/device therapy)
• Worsening renal function
• Frequent hospitalization for heart failure exacerbations
• Intolerance to standard heart failure medications

UH Transfer Referral Center Expedites Patient Transfers

Referring physicians can expedite patient transfers by calling 216-844-1111 or 800-421-9199 for patient transfer assistance.

Services at our Transfer Referral Center include:

• Basic or Advanced Life Support (ALS) transports
• Ground and air medical evacuation
• Critical care transports

What Your Patients Can Expect

• A complete physical assessment by a heart failure specialist
• Individualized care plan developed by the heart failure team and the patient
• Intensive education on how patient can help manage their heart failure
• Diet review and instruction on how to follow a low sodium diet
• Exercise testing and risk stratification
• Exercise training instruction and guidance
• Complete medication review and teaching about how to properly take medicines, monitoring for possible side effects and possible medication interactions
• Help with financial application for medication assistance programs patient might qualify for
• Assistance with the disability application if patient needs this
• Opportunity to participate in clinical trials that may lead to future changes in the way heart failure patients are cared for
• Ventricular assist device (VAD) evaluation
• Heart transplantation evaluation

University Hospitals Physician Advice Line

The nationally recognized physicians and surgeons at UH Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute are available for consultation or for immediate decision-making advice: 216-844-1001