Learn how Norton Healthcare and UK HealthCare are collaborating to advance heart failure care in Kentucky. This post details innovative treatments, research and efforts to ensure equitable access for patients.

Published: June 27, 2025 | Updated: June 30, 2025

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute and UK HealthCare Gill Heart & Vascular Institute joined forces to present a timely and insightful continuing medical education session. “Advancing Heart Failure Care: Innovation Meets Equity” featured Kelly C. McCants, M.D., executive medical director of the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute Advanced Heart Failure & Recovery Program, and Emma Birks, M.D., Ph.D., section chief, heart failure, Gill Heart & Vascular Institute. The session explored the latest advancements in heart failure management while emphasizing the critical need to address disparities in care. This collaboration highlights the power of regional partnerships in tackling complex cardiovascular challenges. These organizations share a commitment to pooling expertise and resources to improve patient outcomes in the region.

A collaborative approach to heart failure care

Norton Heart & Vascular Institute and Gill Heart & Vascular Institute have established a strong collaboration aimed at providing comprehensive heart failure care to patients across Kentucky. This collaboration focuses on:    

• Streamlining access to care: Ensuring patients easily can access the treatments they need
• Enhancing care quality: Working together to deliver high-quality care and a full spectrum of advanced heart failure therapies
• Providing care close to home: Enabling patients to receive advanced care within their local communities  

This collaboration includes regular meetings and close communication between teams to optimize operations and patient care.  

Innovative therapies

HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD)

Significant advancements in heart failure treatment involve the use of LVADs. The HeartMate 3 LVAD system has demonstrated remarkable success in improving survival rates for patients with advanced heart failure.  

• The MOMENTUM 3 trial highlighted the improved survival rates with the HeartMate 3 LVAD compared with medical management.  
• Study data indicated that the HeartMate 3 LVAD has a 79% survival rate, significantly higher than the survival rates associated with optimal medical management.  
• Real-world outcomes even have surpassed the trial results, with increasing five-year survival rates.  

These outcomes underscore the transformative potential of LVADs in treating severe heart failure.

Myocardial recovery and heart transplantation

In addition to LVAD therapy, there’s ongoing research and interest in myocardial recovery.  

• LVADs can be used to unload the heart, potentially leading to improved heart function and recovery.  
• Research efforts are exploring the possibilities of myocardial recovery and comparing outcomes.

Heart transplantation remains the gold standard for many patients with advanced heart failure.  

• The number of heart transplants has increased, and long-term outcomes have improved.  
• Efforts to expand donor availability include the use of hepatitis C donors and donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors.  
• Advances in organ preservation, such as the SherpaPak and TransMedics devices, also have played a crucial role in improving outcomes.  

When to refer for advanced therapies

Timely referral for advanced heart failure therapies is crucial for optimal patient outcomes. Key indicators for referral include:  

• Patients requiring inotropic support  
• Those with New York Heart Association Class III or Class IV symptoms  
• Patients experiencing deteriorating renal function or other organ dysfunction  
• Recurrent defibrillator shocks or frequent heart failure hospitalizations  
• Escalating diuretic requirements or hypotension  
• Physical activity limitations 

Equity in heart failure care

Addressing health disparities and ensuring equitable access to advanced heart failure care is a critical focus.  

• Heart failure disproportionately affects African Americans, Hispanics and other vulnerable communities.  
• Disparities exist in access to therapies like LVADs and heart transplantation.
• Efforts are needed to ensure that all patients, regardless of their background, have fair access to advanced heart failure care.  

The reality of health disparities

Groups that often experience a higher burden of heart failure also may face disparities in access to care and treatment options.  

Disparities in heart failure care can manifest in various ways, including:

• Access to advanced therapies: Not all patients have equal access to lifesaving treatments such as LVADs and heart transplantation.  
• Referral patterns: There may be inconsistencies in referral patterns, leading to delayed or missed opportunities for timely intervention.
• Socioeconomic factors: Patients from low-income backgrounds may face challenges in accessing care, due to factors such as lack of insurance, transportation difficulties and inability to afford medications.

Strategies for promoting equity

To address these disparities and promote equity in heart failure care, several strategies are essential:

• Awareness and education: Raising awareness among health care providers and the community about the impact of health disparities on heart failure outcomes
• Targeted outreach: Implementing targeted outreach programs to reach underserved populations and provide education about heart failure prevention and management
• Improving access to care: Efforts to improve access to care, including expanding clinic hours, providing transportation assistance and addressing financial barriers
• Diversity in the health care workforce: Increasing diversity within the health care workforce to help to foster greater cultural competence and improve communication with patients from diverse backgrounds
• Data collection and analysis: Collecting and analyzing data on heart failure outcomes across different populations to identify disparities and track progress in addressing them

The role of collaboration

Collaborative initiatives, such as the partnership between Norton Healthcare and UK HealthCare, play a vital role in advancing equity in heart failure care. By working together, health care organizations can:  

• Streamline access to care: Making it easier for patients from all backgrounds to receive the care they need  
• Enhance care coordination: Improving communication and coordination among health care providers to ensure that patients receive seamless and comprehensive care  
• Address social determinants of health: Collaborating with community organizations to address social determinants of health that contribute to heart failure disparities

Achieving equity in heart failure care requires a multifaceted approach that addresses health disparities, promotes access to care and fosters collaboration among health care providers and community stakeholders. By prioritizing equity, we can work toward ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, can receive optimal heart failure care and achieve the best possible outcomes.