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Advanced Heart and Lung Disease Center
Through the Advanced Heart and Lung Disease Center , patients receive a specialized approach to care for heart failure in its most advanced stages , as well as proactive treatments to prevent the progression of the disease in earlier stages . The center ’ s team approach includes a heart failure specialist , VAD coordinator , program director , social worker , and additional clinicians .
The center treats a variety of heart failure issues , including complex congenital heart disease , inoperable coronary artery disease , dilated cardiomyopathy , hypertrophic or restrictive cardiomyopathy , infiltrative cardiomyopathy , ischemic cardiomyopathy , inoperable valvular heart disease , and refractory life-threatening conditions .
Salman Gohar , MD , FACC - Medical Director , Advanced Heart Failure and Mechanical Circulatory Support Services and Erwin E . Argueta , MD
“ Firsts ” in fiscal year 2024
In March 2024 , Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth became one of the first in North Texas to treat ATTR amyloidosis with a new prescription medication Vutisiran ( administered under the name Amvuttra ). ATTR amyloidosis occurs due to misfolding of a specific protein called transthyretin that is manufactured in the liver , resulting in small protein subfragments ( fibrils ) accumulating in various tissues . This can affect several organ systems , including cardiac . As fibrils accumulate in the muscle between the cardiac cells , the heart muscle becomes thicker and less compliant . Patients with this condition develop heart failure symptoms . Salman Gohar , MD , FACC , medical director of advanced heart failure and mechanical circulatory support at the hospital , explains Vutisiran delivers a small inhibiting RNA silencer that targets the transthyretin protein transcription pathway to treat the condition . The drug is administered every three months through a quick subcutaneous injection .
Barostim™ is a new solution for systolic heart failure patients . Baylor Scott & White was the first hospital system in North Texas to successfully implant Barostim™ Baroreflex Activation Therapy . This new FDA-approved device uses neuromodulation — the power of the brain and nervous system — to improve the symptoms of patients with advanced systolic heart failure . The device works by stimulating baroreceptors , the natural pressure sensors located in the wall of the carotid artery that tell the nervous system how to regulate heart , kidney and vascular function . The device is implanted during what is typically an outpatient procedure , where the carotid sinus lead is sutured to the carotid artery . The Barostim NEO implantable pulse generator ( IPG ) is then implanted in a small pocket under the skin , similar to a pacemaker . The system contains no hardware in the heart or vasculature .
Heart failure treatment options
Innovative treatment options are personalized to the patient ’ s disease progression and include medications , controlling risk factors , implantable cardioverter defibrillators , cardiac resynchronization therapy , intravenous inotrope therapy , mechanical circulatory support devices , and evaluation and ventricular assist devices . The team provides assessments for candidacy in the heart transplant program in Dallas and access to clinical trials .
Along with these advanced treatments , the center also connects patients with support services to empower them in their care . Case managers are available to help with social challenges . Pharmacists are included in medication optimization , and dietitians educate patients on nutrition choices . Genetic testing is also offered for a variety of hereditary syndromes and symptoms .
Advanced heart failure research
Clinical trials related to heart failure led by principal investigator Salman Gohar , MD , FACC , include the following :
Intermacs
Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulation Support . Principal investigator : Salman Gohar , MD , FACC .
For a comprehensive listing of Fort Worth cardiovascular clinical trials , please refer to the Clinical Trials and Research section in this book .
Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital — Fort Worth | Advanced Heart Failure