Ochsner’s Cardiomyopathy and Heart Transplant Program is the largest Medicare-approved heart transplant program in Louisiana, performing over 20 heart transplants per year.
- First successful heart transplant in Louisiana performed on October 30, 1985
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Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the 50 best hospitals in America for Heart and Heart Surgery
- Through 2011, over 793 patients have undergone heart transplant at Ochsner
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Interdisciplinary team approach to care consisting of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, dieticians, financial coordinators and social workers
Recognizing that heart failure disease requires a multi-faceted approach, our inter-disciplinary team of cardiovascular surgeons, transplant cardiologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, transplant coordinators, social workers, financial coordinators, pharmacists and dieticians work together to provide patients a wide array of innovative technologies in the treatment armamentarium for the whole spectrum of heart failure continuum from early stages to end stages of the disease.
We perform state-of-the-art pharmacological, electrophysiological and surgical interventions such as intravenous inotropic and diuretic therapy in our outpatient infusion suite, ultrafiltration (Aquadex) therapy, bi-ventricular pacing, and high risk surgical procedures that includes left ventricular assist devices. Our goal is to provide each patient a tailored plan of treatment addressing their physical, mental and emotional needs with nurse-led clinics, telemanagement, nutrition counseling and social services.
Waiting times for a potential donor heart can vary. As a result, our Mechanical Assist Device program began in 1990 as a bridge to heart transplantation. As one of twenty centers in the REMATCH trial, Ochsner was designated as a "Center for Destination Therapy" for the Heartmate I ventricular assist device (VAD). Since that time, our Cardiovascular Surgeons have participated in research trials for the Jarvik and Micro-med VAD and currently offer the latest technology in the form of the HEARTMATE II LVAD. This device has been used in thousands of patients and is FDA approved as a bridge to transplantation which allows the patient to be discharged home while awaiting transplantation.
For More Information and Appointments:
- Heart Failure and Transplant: (504) 842-3925
- Pre-Transplant Services: (504) 842-3925
- Cardiovascular Services: (504) 842-3966
- Cardiovascular Services Physician Liaison: Brittany Baker: 504-418-0959
