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OHSU Comments on Heart Failure:
Oregon Health & Science University is Oregon’s only academic medical center. OHSU is a respected regional resource because of the knowledge, expertise and leading-edge medical technology that is available at OHSU Hospital, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, and their numerous clinics and specialized centers. Doctors from throughout Oregon refer patients to OHSU when the necessary level of care or expertise is not available closer to home. Because OHSU is one of two designated Level 1 trauma centers in Oregon, OHSU accepts many patients who are critically ill or injured. OHSU only transfers patients who no longer require its unique services and can be tranferred to a hospital that is closer to their homes and can continue their care.
What is heart failure?
Heart failure is a condition in which damage to the heart muscle prevents the heart from
pumping enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Heart failure causes fluid to build up in the
lungs and in other parts of the body. This condition can affect the lungs, kidneys and other
important body organs. Patients who have severe heart failure may require placement of
mechanical pumps to stay alive. Ultimately, these patients may require a heart transplant.
Doctors will carefully evaluate patients who have heart failure to understand the causes of the
heart problem. They will use various medications to improve the condition.
OHSU expertise with heart failure
OHSU has a highly skilled team of cardiac specialists who have routinely been recognized
for their level of expertise. OHSU has one of two heart transplant programs in Oregon. The
team has a high level of success in treating patients with heart failure.
OHSU results compared to other Oregon hospitals
Patients admitted to OHSU Hospital for heart failure in 2004 had a lower death rate (4.4
%), when compared to patients admitted to other Oregon hospitals (4.6%). When
compared to other university medical centers that also care for patients with severe heart
failure, the death rate at OHSU was lower.
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