End-Stage Heart Failure

Severe heart failure occurs when treatments no longer work. Certain treatments may be used when a person is waiting for a heart transplant:

• Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)
• Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)

At a certain point, the health care provider will decide whether it is best to keep treating heart failure aggressively. The patient, along with his or her family and doctors, may want to discuss palliative or comfort care at this time.