Published: February 18, 2019 | Updated: August 30, 2020

Follow these advanced heart failure signs that indicate your patient may benefit from VAD/heart transplant evaluation

• LVEF <40%
• Inability to walk one block without shortness of breath
• Intolerance of beta blockers
• Intolerance of ACEi/ARBs
• Inotrope dependence
• Progressive renal insufficiency
• Cardiac index <2.2 l/min
• BNP or NT-proBNP > 5x normal (BNP > 1000)
• One heart-failure-related hospitalization within the past six months
• High diuretic requirements (>1.5 mg/kg furosemide or equivalent)
• Class IIIB/IV heart failure symptoms despite medical therapy
• CRT (resynchronization therapy) nonresponder

Important: For all referrals, include the following information if available:

• H&P
• Echocardiography report
• Pulmonary functions tests
• Face sheet with demographics
• Recent office visit note
• Heart catheterization report
• Lab work (CMP, CBC, LFTs)

Make a referral

For referrals, use our patient referral form.