California Pacific Medical Center offers leading-edge medical and surgical therapies for patients with end-stage heart disease. The program is actively involved in research clinical trials, allowing patients the unique opportunity of direct access to some of the newest medications, innovative surgical treatments and therapeutic devices. Combined with an experienced team of surgeons, cardiologists, interventionalists and cardiac nurses, these advanced therapies can help heart failure patients – both adults and children – lead longer and fuller lives.

Advanced surgical treatment options include ventricular assist devices (VAD), an implanted mechanical device assisting the heart’s pumping function. VADs are used as a bridge-to-transplant – supporting the circulation in patients who have run out of options while waiting for a donor organ – or as destination therapy, permanent, long-term therapy for patients who are not eligible for heart transplant.

As new devices become available, both in clinical trials and after federal approval, California Pacific patients are often the first to benefit from their use.

Also see Heart Failure and Transplant: Ventricular Assist Devices