Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program
The Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center evaluates and manages a range of heart disease conditions that result in heart failure.
- Request an appointment or referral
- Phone: 866-MGH-8910
Our Approach
Our Doctors
Specialists within the Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center use advanced therapies to treat patients with congestive heart failure and other conditions that might require a cardiac transplant. All of our physicians are experts in diagnosing and treating heart failure, but also are well-versed in treating the following complex conditions:
- Cardiac amyloidosis
- Cardiomyopathy (weakened heart muscle)
- Advanced congenital heart disease (conditions originating at birth)
- Cardiomegaly (enlarged heart)
- End-stage heart disease
A Continuum of Care
A multidisciplinary team made up of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, nurse practitioners and nurses work together to determine the best line of treatment for every patient. Other health care professionals, such as nutritionists, physical therapists and pharmacists, also contribute to the heart failure patient’s care. Together this team discusses the medical approach to treating patients with severe heart failure. When needed, they also determine appropriate surgical treatment, such as heart transplantation.
If a patient is a candidate for heart transplantation, the same team of physicians are available every step of the way, both before and after transplant. The Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant team also consults with psychiatrists and social workers who have particular expertise in the treatment of advanced heart disease to ease the process and relieve stressors.
Medical Treatment
Our cardiologists work closely with patients and referring physicians to introduce preventive and early treatment measures in an attempt to delay or avoid hospitalization. These advanced medical treatments include:
- Lifestyle and nutrition education
- Managing blood pressure
- Prescribing activity and exercise programs
- Medications designed to decrease the workload on the heart and prevent the progression of the disease
- Restricting salt and fluid intake
- Measures to maintain a balanced diet
Surgical Treatment
Depending on the cause and severity of heart failure, surgery may be required for some patients. Our physicians are experts in treating patients using complex or combination surgical procedures. Surgical options might include:
- Pacemaker insertion/defibrillator insertion
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (traditional bypass surgery or beating cardiac surgery)
- Heart transplantation
- Ventricular assist devices (VADs) as a bridge to transplant
- Valve repair and valve replacement surgery
About This Program
Since the 1970s, the Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center has provided patients with the most clinically advanced care by being at the forefront of new heart failure medications and devices, including the development of minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Within this program, a multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, nurse practitioners and nurses develop the best care plan for every patient. Throughout the process, these specialists partner with patients and their referring physicians in the delivery of care.
Experience Treating Complex Conditions
Our physicians are leaders in treating complex heart conditions or any condition that requires a cardiac transplant. For example, our team is familiar with heart transplantation for patients with amyloidosis, a condition that impairs the function of multiple organs and demands the input of several medical subspecialties. Because of the breadth of our experience, complex patients receive the best possible treatment outcome.
Our cardiac surgeons are also experts in the use of ventricular-assist devices (VADs) either as destination therapy (an alternative to transplantation) or as a bridge while awaiting a donor organ. Physicians at Mass General performed the first mitral valve repair in the United States on the SMMART trial, a study funded by the National Institutes of Health to determine whether mitral valve repair can stabilize or reverse dilated cardiomyopathy.
Research Initiatives
All of our physicians are on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, which means they not only have a mission to provide the best possible patient care, but also a commitment to educate the next generation of medical professionals and develop innovations in heart failure treatment.
Our patients also have access to the most advanced research, and innovative medical therapies and devices within clinical trials. Part of a network of sophisticated centers for heart failure research, created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Mass General is a regional research center for high quality and rapid clinical research in heart failure.
Mass General is one of the few select centers in the nation to be awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health in the area of heart transplantation. Our researchers are currently studying how to decrease organ rejection in patients who are highly sensitized (patients who have a lot of antibodies, making it difficult to match appropriate organs).
Conditions and Diseases
The care team at the Heart Center encourages all patients and family members to learn more about conditions and diseases that affect the heart and overall cardiovascular system. The links below provide more information about heart conditions and diseases that might be treated within this program.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is any disease of the heart muscle in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood effectively.
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease occurs when cholesterol builds up within the walls of the heart’s arteries (coronary arteries), forming what is called plaque.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when one or more regions of the heart muscle experience a severe or prolonged lack of oxygen caused by blocked blood flow to the heart muscle.
Heart Failure
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood to meet the needs of the body's other organs.
Support and Wellness
Mass General is dedicated to ensuring that people understand their health care choices and have the necessary information to make decisions affecting their health and well being. The related support and wellness information listed below can play a role in treatment options.
Guide to Cardiac Surgery
The Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center offers a patient guide to cardiac surgery. Our dedicated clinicians believe it is important for you to know what to expect before, during and after your surgery.
Guide to Cardiac Catheterization
The Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center offers a patient guide to cardiac catheterization. Our dedicated clinicians believe it is important for you to know what to expect before, during and after a cardiac catheterization.
Guide to Cardiac Anesthesia
The Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center offers a patient guide to cardiac anesthesia. Our dedicated clinicians believe it is important for you to know what to expect before, during and after a cardiac anesthesia.
Connected Cardiac Care
Connected Cardiac Care is a program offered to heart failure patients at risk for frequent hospitalizations. The program aims to reduce re-hospitalizations by improving patient's understanding of their condition and providing ongoing nursing support and review of key physiologic parameters while the patient is at home.
An advanced cardiac CT scanner
Physicians at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center use cutting edge technology to identify possible cardiac abnormalities.
Heart Center
55 Fruit StreetBoston, MA 02114
Phone: 866-MGH-8910
Public Transportation Access: yes
Disabled Access: yes
If you are a new patient, you may complete our online appointment form to request an appointment. Our outpatient access nurse will ask you more about your condition and symptoms, and match you with the best-fitting Heart Center physician.
Request an appointment at the Heart Center 
Call the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center outpatient access nurse at 866-MGH-8910
