The Advanced Heart Failure, VAD and Heart Transplant Program

(732) 253-3699

The Advanced Heart Failure, Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) and Heart Transplant Program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) stands at the forefront of specialized care for patients with heart failure. We offer the full spectrum of care for people with advanced heart failure, including biventricular pacemakers, left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), access to clinical trials and a Medicare-certified heart transplantation service.

Physician talking to patient.Our program is led by accomplished, board-certified cardiologists and internationally recognized cardiothoracic surgeons and staffed by specially trained and certified nurse practitioners, registered nurses, registered dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, cardiac rehabilitation therapists and other medical professionals dedicated to heart care. We are a regional and national training center for clinicians.

With RWJUH's Advanced Heart Failure, VAD, and Heart Transplant Program, you will have a highly skilled team of cardiac specialists on your side, as well as the latest medical, interventional, and surgical options for fighting heart failure, including heart transplants and clinical trials. The team at RWJUH has access to sophisticated diagnostic techniques, the latest and best in cardiac therapy, and a close working relationship with the cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery teams.

VIDEO: Miracle in New Brunswick: Heart Transplant Recipient Goes Home

Why Choose Us to Treat Advanced Heart Failure

Feeling confident in the heart care you choose is vitally important. Our facility holds many distinctions that set us apart from other hospitals.

  • Our Advanced Heart Failure experts collaborate with all RWJUH world-renowned specialists to focus on providing individualized patient care with cutting-edge treatments.
  • The American Heart Association awarded RWJUH with its prestigious Gold Award in heart failure treatment.
  • Along with easy access to our Language Line interpreter services, seven different languages are spoken by our dedicated team, which makes for stronger connections with the diverse population we serve.
  • Our Advanced Heart Failure cardiologists, registered nurse coordinators, nurse practitioners, social workers and pharmacists provide customized patient and family education from initial referral through inpatient hospitalization and outpatient follow-up.

Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Implantation

RWJUH is certified to implant ventricular assist devices (VADs), also known as mechanical circulatory support devices. These are mechanical pumps that help the heart pump blood from its lower chambers, or ventricles, to the rest of the body. Only a handful of New Jersey hospitals perform these procedures, which improve survival rates and quality of life for eligible patients who suffer from a weakened or failing heart.

  • New Jersey's first commercial implant of the HeartMate 3 was performed here
  • Since 1999, our team has implanted over 170 LVADs

Heart Transplantation

RWJUH offers a heart transplant program that combines unparalleled expertise with a full range of diagnostic, treatment and support services for adults facing all stages of heart failure. To date, RWJUH has performed more than 200 heart transplants. Our dedicated heart transplant team has more than 20 years of experience and reflects the diversity of our patient population.

Patient Stories

  • He is also deeply grateful to RWJUH’s Heart Transplant Team for giving him the ultimate second chance at life.

    Chuck
    Read More
  • “Barostim has been wonderful. It gives me energy, and I can do more.”

    Theresa
    Read More
  • My team of doctors did a great job.

    Nandan
    Read More

Patient Stories

  • Watch Testimonial
  • Watch Testimonial
  • Watch Testimonial