UCI Health ventricular assist device program receives credential

Recognition affirms academic medical center's ability to comprehensively treat advanced heart failure

Orange, Calif. — UCI Health — Orange has received credentialing from DNV Healthcare USA as a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Facility, recognizing the academic medical center’s ability to provide comprehensive high-quality services to treat patients with advanced heart failure who require an implanted device to assist the heart in pumping blood to the rest of the body. The certification is valid for three years, though annual surveys are required.

“Earning VAD program credentialing confirms that UCI Health provides exceptional care for cardiac patients who require this lifesaving technology,” says Dr. Dawn Lombardo, medical director of the  Advanced Heart Failure-VAD Program at UCI Health. “This recognition reflects our commitment to meeting rigorous standards to help our patients recover and achieve better health every step of the way.”

VAD are traditionally implanted through an open-heart procedure known as a median sternotomy. For appropriately selected patients, our cardiac surgery team specializes in less invasive thoracotomy-based approaches that enable access to the heart through limited incisions between the ribs.

Thoracotomy offers several advantages, including:

• Reduced blood transfusion requirements during surgery
• Lower incidence of right-sided heart failure
• Potentially reduced recovery and hospital length of stay
• Improved heart transplantation outcomes

UCI Health has an established track record of offering the highest quality care for patients experiencing heart failure. Since the VAD program launched in 2020, UCI Health has treated numerous patients with advanced heart failure by implanting a left ventricular assistive device (LVAD). 

LVAD has provided meaningful improvements in functional status and quality of life, said Lombardo. Importantly, for appropriately selected patients, VAD support has served as an effective bridge to heart transplantation, allowing many to become stable enough to successfully undergo the surgery.

The DNV VAD facility credentialing program survey process is based on standards set forth by DNV and the requirements of the Medicare decision memo for ventricular assist devices for bridge-to-transplant and destination therapy.

“Achieving VAD program credentialing demonstrates a commitment to excellence,” says Kelly Proctor, president of DNV Healthcare USA, Inc. “And it helps demonstrate to the community that you are performing at the highest level.”

Advancing heart health in Orange County

With advances like Orange County's first VAD-accredited program, The Joint Commission Advanced Heart Failure Certified Program and its position as a benchmark site for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), UCI Health occupies a unique position in advancing cardiac care across the region.

UCI Health has introduced several innovative services, such as:

• The structural heart program, spearheaded by Dr. Antonio Frangieh, which provides access to cutting-edge treatments like TAVR and conducts groundbreaking research on tricuspid valve disorders.
• The amyloid program, led by Dr. Roxana Ghashghaei, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of amyloidosis, a rare but serious cardiac condition.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy service, led by Dr. Behram Mody and Dr. Jin Kim, dedicated to the comprehensive care of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• Specialized services like women’s heart center, cardio-oncology, cardio-rheumatology, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, advanced cardiac imaging, and EP/pacemaker expertise led by Dr. David Donaldson.
• The integrative cardiology program combines the best of traditional, evidence-based diagnostic tools and therapies with Eastern medicine and preventive therapies to provide patients with a truly holistic approach to their health. This cardiovascular prevention and lifestyle intervention program is provided by Dr. Irmina Gradus-Pizlo, Dr. Ailin Barseghian, Dr. Ali Naqvi and Dr. Shaista Malik. This team practices at the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, part of UCI Health.
• The cardiovascular faculty are committed to research and medical investigation. Our portfolio of heart health-related clinical trials is widely regarded as leading force for evidence‐based cardiovascular drug and technology development in Orange County.

Learn more about UCI Health Cardiology Services.