{"schema_version":"bookimed.page-context.v1","id":"heart-failure-surgery","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/heart-failure-surgery/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/heart-failure-surgery.json","index_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/index.json","full_dataset_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/content.json","content_revision":"source-driven-rankings-20261008","date_modified":"2026-10-08","language":"en","kind":"guide","title":"Heart failure surgery: underlying causes, LVAD and transplant","summary":"Advanced heart-failure care may treat a reversible coronary or valve problem, support the circulation with an LVAD, or assess transplantation. These are different pathways with different eligibility and long-term care requirements.","research_credit":{"name":"Yevhenii Kozlov","role":"Co-Founder of Bookimed","url":"https://us-uk.bookimed.com/ceo/kozlov/","contribution":"Research personally prepared and reviewed","assistance":"AI tools assisted source research."},"editorial_scope":"Source-based patient information; an individual treatment plan requires clinical review.","research_method":"How this guide is researched and compared Research project led by Yevhenii Kozlov . We link clinical guidance, primary studies and named hospital or offer sources beside the relevant statements. Comparisons distinguish individual operators from programme results and preserve the study population, follow-up and limitations. Prices are dated examples with their stated scope. Research and editorial preparation are separate from clinical review; no named clinician has medically reviewed this edition. Bookimed provides care coordination. Partner and reference programmes are identified from their sources; paid ordering is not used in our published-cohort comparison. Read the editorial policy .","key_takeaways":[{"label":"An LVAD supports circulation","text":"It can serve as a bridge to transplantation or longer-term mechanical support.","sources":["C16"]},{"label":"Repeated admissions can signal a need for specialist review","text":"Severe symptoms and intolerance of treatment despite maximally tolerated care are also referral indicators.","sources":["C15"]},{"label":"Transplant assessment is not a transplant slot","text":"Eligibility, listing and international access follow the programme’s own rules.","sources":[]}],"benefits":[{"text":"An advanced heart-failure centre brings medical, device and surgical options into one assessment.","sources":["C15"]}],"limitations":[{"text":"LVADs require ongoing equipment and device care; transplantation requires continuing anti-rejection treatment. Both need dependable support after discharge.","sources":["C16"]}],"sections":[{"id":"benefit-balance","title":"Benefits and trade-offs","text":"Benefits and trade-offs Potential advantages An advanced heart-failure centre brings medical, device and surgical options into one assessment. Sources: AHA: advanced heart-failure referral Trade-offs and limits LVADs require ongoing equipment and device care; transplantation requires continuing anti-rejection treatment. Both need dependable support after discharge. Sources: AHA: advanced heart-failure options","links":[{"label":"AHA: advanced heart-failure referral","url":"https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/guidance-for-timely-and-appropriate-referral-of-patients-with-advanced-heart-failure"},{"label":"AHA: advanced heart-failure options","url":"https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/living-with-heart-failure-and-managing-advanced-hf/recognizing-advanced-heart-failure-and-knowing-your-options"}]},{"id":"options","title":"Different interventions solve different problems","text":"Different interventions solve different problems Pathway What it addresses Coronary or valve treatment A potentially treatable underlying structural or blood-supply problem CRT or ICD Selected pumping coordination or rhythm-risk needs LVAD Mechanical support for circulation; may be a bridge to transplant or longer-term support Heart transplant assessment Whether transplantation is suitable and accessible under the programme’s rules Sources: AHA: advanced heart-failure options · Conditions treated by heart surgery Coronary bypass ↗ Heart valves ↗","links":[{"label":"AHA: advanced heart-failure options","url":"https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/living-with-heart-failure-and-managing-advanced-hf/recognizing-advanced-heart-failure-and-knowing-your-options"},{"label":"Conditions treated by heart surgery","url":"https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-surgery/conditions"},{"label":"Coronary bypass ↗","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/coronary-bypass/"},{"label":"Heart valves ↗","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/heart-valve-surgery/"}],"tables":[[["Pathway","What it addresses"],["Coronary or valve treatment","A potentially treatable underlying structural or blood-supply problem"],["CRT or ICD","Selected pumping coordination or rhythm-risk needs"],["LVAD","Mechanical support for circulation; may be a bridge to transplant or longer-term support"],["Heart transplant assessment","Whether transplantation is suitable and accessible under the programme’s rules"]]]},{"id":"referral","title":"When specialist referral matters","text":"When specialist referral matters An AHA statement highlights severe symptoms, repeated admissions or intolerance of treatment despite maximally tolerated care as reasons to consider advanced-HF referral. An advanced centre evaluates the medical, surgical and support options together. Sources: AHA: advanced heart-failure referral","links":[{"label":"AHA: advanced heart-failure referral","url":"https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/guidance-for-timely-and-appropriate-referral-of-patients-with-advanced-heart-failure"}]},{"id":"life","title":"Compare life with the treatment","text":"Compare life with the treatment An LVAD brings ongoing equipment, device care, supplies and caregiver needs, alongside complication risks. Transplantation requires continuing anti-rejection treatment and specialist follow-up. The practical benefit depends on a dependable care pathway after discharge, including management of alarms, infection or deterioration. This can make distance from an appropriate centre a material limitation. Sources: AHA: advanced heart-failure options","links":[{"label":"AHA: advanced heart-failure options","url":"https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/living-with-heart-failure-and-managing-advanced-hf/recognizing-advanced-heart-failure-and-knowing-your-options"}]},{"id":"request","title":"What advanced heart-failure assessment can establish","text":"What advanced heart-failure assessment can establish The assessment distinguishes treatable coronary or valve disease, a potential mechanical-support strategy and transplant eligibility. These are separate outcomes. This guide lists specialist clinical programmes; it does not offer a transplant slot, waiting time or country-specific eligibility. Costs & quotes ↗","links":[{"label":"Costs & quotes ↗","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/cost/"}]},{"id":"matching-specialists","title":"Specialists for this treatment pathway","text":"Specialists for this treatment pathway Explore each specialist’s clinical focus, current programme and the studies relevant to this treatment. The listed roles include cardiac surgeons and, where appropriate, interventional cardiologists. Portrait source ↗ Durham, North Carolina · United States cardiac surgeon Jacob N. Schroder → Schroder’s Duke surgical remit includes transplantation, durable LVADs, temporary ECMO and total artificial-heart support. Duke University Hospital → Sources: Jacob N. Schroder named Surgical Director for Advanced Heart Failure View expertise and research → Portrait source ↗ Bad Oeynhausen · Germany cardiac surgeon Jan Gummert → Gummert directs cardiac surgery within HDZ NRW’s transplant and mechanical-support programme. Dedicated VAD coordinators connect implantation with ongoing device care and follow-up. Heart and Diabetes Center NRW → Sources: Medical leadership: Jan Gummert · Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery · Heart failure centre View expertise and research → Browse the full specialist directory →","links":[{"label":"Portrait source ↗","url":"https://medschool.duke.edu/profile/jacob-niall-schroder"},{"label":"Jacob N. Schroder →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-jacob-schroder/"},{"label":"Duke University Hospital →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-duke/"},{"label":"Jacob N. Schroder named Surgical Director for Advanced Heart Failure","url":"https://surgery.duke.edu/news/jacob-n-schroder-md-named-surgical-director-advanced-heart-failure"},{"label":"View expertise and research →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-jacob-schroder/"},{"label":"Portrait source ↗","url":"https://www.hdz-nrw.de/hdz-nrw/ueber-uns/aerztliche-leitung.html"},{"label":"Jan Gummert →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-jan-gummert/"},{"label":"Heart and Diabetes Center NRW →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-hdz-nrw/"},{"label":"Medical leadership: Jan Gummert","url":"https://www.hdz-nrw.de/hdz-nrw/ueber-uns/aerztliche-leitung.html"},{"label":"Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery","url":"https://www.hdz-nrw.de/kliniken-institute/kliniken/klinik-fuer-thorax-und-kardiovaskularchirurgie.html"},{"label":"Heart failure centre","url":"https://www.hdz-nrw.de/behandlung/behandlungszentren/zentrum-fuer-herzinsuffizienz.html"},{"label":"View expertise and research →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-jan-gummert/"},{"label":"Browse the full specialist directory →","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/heart-failure-surgeons/"}]}],"introduction":"Heart surgery guide / Heart failure, LVAD & transplant Heart failure, LVAD & transplant · Decision guide Heart failure surgery: underlying causes, LVAD and transplant Understand which question an advanced heart-failure team needs to answer before comparing treatments or destinations. Research by Yevhenii Kozlov · Co-Founder of Bookimed Updated 8 October 2026 Sources linked throughout At a glance Advanced heart-failure care may treat a reversible coronary or valve problem, support the circulation with an LVAD, or assess transplantation. These are different pathways with different eligibility and long-term care requirements. An LVAD supports circulation It can serve as a bridge to transplantation or longer-term mechanical support. Sources: AHA: advanced heart-failure options Repeated admissions can signal a need for specialist review Severe symptoms and intolerance of treatment despite maximally tolerated care are also referral indicators. Sources: AHA: advanced heart-failure referral Transplant assessment is not a transplant slot Eligibility, listing and international access follow the programme’s own rules.","related_documents":[{"id":"heart-surgery","title":"Heart surgery abroad: treatments, clinics and costs","kind":"home","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/heart-surgery.json"},{"id":"coronary-bypass","title":"Coronary bypass surgery (CABG): options, teams and recovery","kind":"guide","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/coronary-bypass/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/coronary-bypass.json"},{"id":"heart-valve-surgery","title":"Heart valve surgery: repair, replacement and catheter options","kind":"guide","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/heart-valve-surgery/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/heart-valve-surgery.json"},{"id":"cost","title":"Heart surgery costs: valve surgery and CABG quotes","kind":"guide","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/cost/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/cost.json"},{"id":"second-opinion","title":"Prepare for a heart surgery second opinion","kind":"inquiry","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/second-opinion/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/second-opinion.json"},{"id":"conditions","title":"Heart conditions: find your diagnosis and treatment guide","kind":"guide","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/conditions/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/conditions.json"},{"id":"doctor-jacob-schroder","title":"Jacob N. Schroder: heart transplantation and LVAD care","kind":"doctor-profile","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-jacob-schroder/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/doctor-jacob-schroder.json"},{"id":"doctor-jan-gummert","title":"Jan Gummert: LVAD and heart transplant surgery","kind":"doctor-profile","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/doctor-jan-gummert/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/doctor-jan-gummert.json"},{"id":"clinic-duke","title":"Duke University Hospital: heart surgery expertise","kind":"clinic-profile","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-duke/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/clinic-duke.json"},{"id":"clinic-hdz-nrw","title":"Heart and Diabetes Center NRW: heart surgery expertise","kind":"clinic-profile","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/clinic-hdz-nrw/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/clinic-hdz-nrw.json"},{"id":"heart-failure-surgeons","title":"Heart transplant and LVAD specialists","kind":"specialist-directory","url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/heart-surgery/heart-failure-surgeons/","json_url":"https://hub.bookimed.com/wp-content/uploads/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/pages/heart-failure-surgeons.json"}],"sources":{"C15":{"id":"C15","title":"Guidance for Timely and Appropriate Referral of Patients With Advanced Heart Failure","url":"https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/guidance-for-timely-and-appropriate-referral-of-patients-with-advanced-heart-failure","publisher":"American Heart Association","published":"2021-09-10","read_at":"2026-10-07","source_type":"Official scientific-statement overview"},"C16":{"id":"C16","title":"Recognizing Advanced Heart Failure and Knowing Your Options","url":"https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/living-with-heart-failure-and-managing-advanced-hf/recognizing-advanced-heart-failure-and-knowing-your-options","publisher":"American Heart Association","published":"2025-06-19 (review)","read_at":"2026-10-07","source_type":"Society patient information"},"D01":{"id":"D01","title":"Conditions treated by heart surgery","url":"https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-surgery/conditions","publisher":"NHLBI","read_at":"2026-10-07","source_type":"Official medical information or guideline"},"SP05":{"title":"Jacob Niall Schroder — faculty profile","publisher":"Duke University School of Medicine","url":"https://medschool.duke.edu/profile/jacob-niall-schroder","read_at":"2026-10-08","source_kind":"official-institution","local_body":"/Users/eugen/Projects/frankenstein-agentic-framework/outputs/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/review/provider-depth/specialties/sources/schroder-current.txt","supports":"Current Surgical Director for Advanced Heart Failure and faculty role.","limitations":""},"SP06":{"title":"Jacob N. Schroder named Surgical Director for Advanced Heart Failure","publisher":"Duke Department of Surgery","url":"https://surgery.duke.edu/news/jacob-n-schroder-md-named-surgical-director-advanced-heart-failure","read_at":"2026-10-08","source_kind":"official-institution","local_body":"/Users/eugen/Projects/frankenstein-agentic-framework/outputs/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/review/provider-depth/specialties/sources/schroder-role.txt","supports":"Remit includes heart transplantation, LVAD, ECMO, total artificial heart and conventional cardiac surgery with severely reduced LV function; direct DCD transplant operator history.","limitations":"Appointment story dated 2024; title cross-checked against live SP05. Historical volumes are not current annual performance.","published_at":"2024-01-22"},"SP07":{"title":"Medical leadership: Jan Gummert","publisher":"Heart and Diabetes Center NRW","url":"https://www.hdz-nrw.de/hdz-nrw/ueber-uns/aerztliche-leitung.html","read_at":"2026-10-08","source_kind":"official-institution","local_body":"/Users/eugen/Projects/frankenstein-agentic-framework/outputs/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/review/provider-depth/specialties/sources/hdz-leadership.txt","supports":"Current medical director and director of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at HDZ NRW.","limitations":""},"SP08":{"title":"Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery","publisher":"Heart and Diabetes Center NRW","url":"https://www.hdz-nrw.de/kliniken-institute/kliniken/klinik-fuer-thorax-und-kardiovaskularchirurgie.html","read_at":"2026-10-08","source_kind":"official-institution","local_body":"/Users/eugen/Projects/frankenstein-agentic-framework/outputs/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/review/provider-depth/specialties/sources/hdz-surgery.txt","supports":"Heart transplantation, mechanical support, dedicated VAD coordinators and transplant follow-up.","limitations":"Department services and support are not an individual surgeon procedure count."},"SP09":{"title":"Heart failure centre","publisher":"Heart and Diabetes Center NRW","url":"https://www.hdz-nrw.de/behandlung/behandlungszentren/zentrum-fuer-herzinsuffizienz.html","read_at":"2026-10-08","source_kind":"official-institution","local_body":"/Users/eugen/Projects/frankenstein-agentic-framework/outputs/heart-surgery-hub-20261007/review/provider-depth/specialties/sources/hdz-hf.txt","supports":"Integrated outpatient/inpatient heart failure management across departments; named contacts Costard-Jäckle and Schramm.","limitations":"Does not imply the surgical department director personally leads every HF consultation."}}}