“We pay attention to where patients are on the continuum and provide individualized care every step of the way.”


Michael Cinquegrani, MD


His surgery went better than he could have imagined. “I felt 10 times better than I felt before, and two days


after surgery I was up out of bed,” Chapman said. “I couldn’t believe it. Dr. Nicolosi is super, and I had a very good team.”


Some patients are not suitable candidates for transplantation. “There are certain conditions that would preclude a patient


from being a heart transplant candidate,” Dr. Nicolosi explained, including severe lung, liver or kidney disease and cancer. For recent cancer patients, for example, if you suppress the immune system after transplant to avoid rejection of the new heart, their cancer could come back.”


a collaborative, multidiSciplinary approach Because advanced heart failure patients often have other


serious medical conditions, treating the whole patient can be complex. For example, advanced heart failure patients may also have kidney, liver or lung disease, explained Dr. Nicolosi.


“Every organ in the body depends on your blood supply,


and if your heart is not doing its job, other organs will suffer,” he said.


That’s why a multidisciplinary advanced heart failure


team at Froedtert & The Medical College meets regularly to review cases and discuss each patient’s best options. That team includes cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, social workers, physical therapists, dietitians, infectious disease specialists and others as needed.


It is also an experienced team. The advanced heart failure


management and heart transplantation services at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin began in 1985.


“The program is caring for some patients who are up to


20 years out from their transplants,” Dr. Nicolosi said. The specialty of advanced heart failure and transplant


cardiology is relatively young in terms of formal training. Dr. Mahr is one of only a small group of doctors nationwide to be fellowship-trained in this specialty.


“Caring for the sickest advanced heart failure patients


requires a high level of complexity as far as medical decision- making, and that’s something we offer as an academic institution,” said Dr. Mahr. “We have the resources, the infrastructure and the expertise. And we’re looking at the


get a Second opinion


If you are currently diagnosed with heart failure or other heart condition, Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin offers second opinions through a thorough evaluation and follow up. Whether you want to confirm a treatment plan, explore treatment options or receive assistance in planning the next step for your care, we can help. For more information, call 414-805-3666 or 800-272-3666. n


froedtert.com Froedtert Today January 2012 9 n michael cinquegrani, md


whole patient. We’ve successfully treated patients here who were declined at other centers.”


individualized attention Paying close attention to where a patient is in the progression


of the condition, knowing what kind of treatment each patient needs and recognizing when that treatment is no longer sufficient is vital.


“In some patients, medications alone work,” Dr. Cinquegrani


said. “They may continue on for eight to 10 years. Then one day, they don’t feel good. That’s usually when they’re starting to slide, and it’s time to consider the next level of therapies such as implanted defibrillator devices, a VAD or a transplant. We pay attention to where patients are on the continuum and provide individualized care every step of the way.”


back on track Today, with his new heart, Chapman is optimistic that he’ll


be one of those transplant recipients who live another 20 years. He said he’s changed his diet, lost weight, and he still walks as much as possible, even accompanying his wife on shopping trips to get in extra steps.


“I do just about whatever I want – it’s tremendous,” he


said. He will be on medications that will help his body from rejecting his transplanted heart for the rest of his life, and he’s closely monitored through regular tests and check-ups with his team.


“All of these marvelous people took care of me and gave


me a second chance at life,” he said. For more information on services offered by the Froedtert


& The Medical College of Wisconsin Heart and Vascular Center, or to schedule an appointment with a Medical College of Wisconsin heart and vascular specialist, call 414-805-3666 or 800-272-3666. n


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