In a majority of cases, there is no cure for heart failure. Heart transplantation, replacing the damaged heart with a normal heart from a recently deceased donor, is available to only 2,500 patients per year in the U.S. Therefore, heart failure is most often managed with a combination of therapies, including: medications, life style changes (diet, exercise, etc.), devices and/or surgeries.

Medications and Life Style Changes

A standard medical regimen of beta blockers, diretics, angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) are currently recommended in an attempt to improve the pumping function of the heart, thereby improving blood flow to the body and slowing the progression of heart failure. Many patients do well on these medications and are able to control the progression of their heart failure. Other patients experience multiple side effects related to these medications or no effect, resulting in a return or progression of heart failure.

Life style changes that can improve or resolve the symptoms associated with heart failure include: diet (weight loss and low sodium diet), exercise, management of diabetes and blood pressure, smoking and alcohol cessation.

Devices and Surgery

There are several interventional and surgical procedures commonly recommended for the treatment of heart failure, including:

• Angioplasty and Stents
  Heart failure can be caused by coronary artery disease (blocked arteries in the heart). Angioplasty and stent devices are designed to open blocked arteries. Re-establishing the blood flow to the heart may improve or resolve the symptoms associated with heart failure.

• Pacemakers and Defibrillators
  Heart failure can be worsened by irregular heart beats and result in a poorly functioning heart or even sudden death. Pacemakers and defibrillators can be used (together or separately) to regulate the electrical conduction of the heart and may improve or resolve the symptoms associated with heart failure.

• Coronary Artery Bypass
  When coronary artery disease cannot be treated with angioplasty, coronary artery bypass surgery can be performed to re-establish blood flow around the blocked artery and may improve or resolve the symptoms associated with heart failure.

• Heart Valve Surgery
  Heart failure can be caused by functional (diseased valve) or structural abnormalities in the heart and result in a malfunctioning valve. Heart valves can be repaired or replaced to re-establish the normal blood flow in the heart and may improve or resolve the symptoms associated with heart failure.

• Pocket Circulatory Assist Devices
  Pocket Circulatory Assist (PCA) Devices, like the CircuLite Synergy device, are designed to potentially improve or resolve the symptoms associated with heart failure. Clinical trials are currently being developed to determine the clinical effectiveness of the Synergy device for long-term support of heart failure patients.

• Surgical Ventricular Assist Devices
  Surgical Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) are used as a Bridge to Transplant or as Destination Therapy for the treatment of end-stage heart failure patients and may improve the symptoms associated with heart failure.

• Heart Transplant
  Heart transplants are an option for some end-stage heart failure patients who are not responsive to conventional medical therapy (medications, devices and surgery). Heart transplants are a cure for heart failure. Unfortunately there is a limited number of donor hearts available and often heart failure patients may have developed other underlying conditions, potentially excluding them from becoming a heart transplant candidate.

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