Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program

The Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) Heart Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support (VAD and ECMO) Program brings together expert and integrated care for patients with advanced heart disease including those awaiting a heart transplant. These patients usually require mechanical circulatory support (artificial heart pumps) to provide sufficient blood flow and oxygen to vital organs which results in a better quality of life and survival rate than those on medical therapy alone.

Multidisciplinary care and continuous innovation are hallmarks of the treatment offered to advanced heart disease patients at BWH. These therapeutic breakthroughs translate to exceptional care and services.

• First in New England to perform a heart transplant—1984.
• Historically, BWH has performed the most heart transplants in New England—more than 700 in the past 30 years.
• Heart transplant outcomes consistently exceed regional and national averages.
• First in New England to perform a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation for long-term treatment in New England—1999.
• First total artificial heart transplant in New England—2012.
• First to implant the HeartMate 3 in New England—a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
• First in New England to implant a remote/wireless hemodynamic monitor for heart failure patients.
• Currently leading a national pivotal trial of 3rd generation LVAD technology as bridge-to-transplant or lifetime (destination) therapy.

In addition, BWH is the only New England site to participate in the landmark REMATCH (Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure) trial. The trial compared outcomes for patients managed with LVAD plus medical therapy with outcomes for patients on optimal medical therapy alone, and demonstrated a better survival rate among the LVAD group.

In 2015, the Heart & Vascular Center launched a new combined medical-surgical mechanical circulatory support (MCS) unit that offers a novel approach to care for patients that have undergone implantation of MCS devices. As a result, the average length of hospital stay was reduced by 25 percent and patient experience improved substantially as compared to patients who received MCS devices prior to the unit opening.

• Learn more about ventricular assist devices.
• Read how a VAD was a "bridge to transplant" for one BWH patient.
• Learn more about extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
• Read about Michael Winot, the longest living BWH heart transplant recipient.
• Read about celebrating the 500th heart transplant at BWH.

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment with a member of the Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program team, call (857) 307-4000.

Learn more about the successful transplantations of Hepatitis C-infected hearts and lungs.

Refer a Patient

Physicians can make a referral to the Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program by calling (857) 307-4000.

Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program Team

Surgical Director

• Akinobu Itoh, MD, PhD

Cardiac Surgeons

• Mark J. Cunningham, MD
• Amy E. Hackmann, MD
• Mohamed Ahmed Keshk, MD

Mechanical Circulatory Support Physicians

• Akshay Desai, MD
• Michael M. Givertz, MD
• Neal Lakdawala, MD
• Mandeep R. Mehra, MD
• Anju Nohria, MD
• Garrick Stewart, MD

Nurse Practitioners

Heart Failure

• David Molway, NP
• Joanne Weintraub, APRN–BC
• Michelle Young, APRN-BC

Ventricular Assist Devices

• Lara Coakley, NP

Heart Transplant

• Debbie Page, APRN–BC
• Erica Woodcome, NP

Physician Assistants

• Erin Lyons, PA-C
• Katie Frankel. PA-C

Diseases and Conditions

• Adult congenital heart disease
• Congestive heart failure/cardiomyopathy

Procedures

• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
• Heart transplantation
• Ventricular assist devices (VADs)