Advanced Heart Failure Clinic

What we do

What is advanced heart failure?

Heart failure is a long-term condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively. This leads to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and fluid retention. Advanced heart failure is when patients require advanced therapies such as a heart transplant or mechanical support such as a ventricular assist device (VAD).

What to expect

At your first appointment you will meet with one of our specialist cardiologists who will speak with you about your symptoms and medical history.

Our goal is to optimally manage and treat your symptoms. The advanced heart failure clinic offers a complete range of cutting-edge tests and treatments for heart failure. In some cases, our specialist cardiologists may recommend procedures such as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) or ventricular assist device (VAD) insertion which can be performed in our state-of-the-art facilities. Our team cares for all patients requiring heart transplantation in Victoria.

Our team

The Heart Failure team at The Alfred is led by A/Prof Hitesh Patel with senior cardiologists Dr Caitlin Chesire, Dr Sarah Gutman, A/Prof James Hare, Prof David Kaye alongside cardiac and transplant surgeons, electrophysiologists (heart rhythm and device specialists), structural cardiologists (percutaneous valve procedures) and coronary interventionalists (stenting). Alongside our medical specialists, the heart failure service includes experienced cardiac nurses, pharmacists and cardiac technologists. The Alfred heat failure service is a leading cardiac research centre and we work in close collaboration with Monash University and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute to provide our patients with cutting-edge treatments and clinical trial opportunities.

How to access this clinic

Referral from your GP or specialist

We accept referrals from GPs and other cardiology services or cardiologists (public or private).

We also accept GP referrals if you are a relative of an affected family member. Please include as much information about the affected family member as is available including clinic letters and test results.

Once you are a patient of the service (after referral accepted) the following details can be used to reschedule an appointment:

Email: h.centre@alfred.org.au
Phone: (03) 9076 3263