Medical Director:
Anuj Jain, MD

Program Components

• Identify and treat reversible causes of heart failure.
• Optimize conventional medical therapy.
• New and experimental drugs that have promise for heart failure treatment.
• To assess patients for cardiac transplantation.
• To establish safe and effective rehabilitation and education in cooperation with the patients physician and hometown hospital.

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Congestive Heart Failure
Today, three million Americans have congestive heart failure, and 400,000 new patients are diagnosed each year. It remains the most expensive hospital charge, with high readmission rates and lost productivity surpassing 9 billion dollars per year. Nationally, heart failure clinics have been effective in reducing hospitalizations of patients and improving their quality of life.

To help those suffering from this debilitating disease, the Heart Improvement Program, formally the Lincoln Heart Improvement Program, was developed in 1993 by Nebraska Heart Institute. The unique aspect of this program is the collaborative effort between the primary care physician and the Heart Improvement Program. Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary, comprehensive service that includes cardiac evaluation and treatment.

Drug & Device Therapy
Several new experimental and very promising drugs and medical devices are available and may be used by patients in the program. Patients have had remarkable response with significant increase in the ejection fraction and cardiac output and decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and symptoms of congestion. Additionally, quality of life has been improved through the success of some drug therapies and devices.

Cardiac Transplantation
Patients may require the services of the Nebraska Heart and Lung Transplant Program. This program has had much success since its beginning in 1986. Hospital length of stay, costs, and return-to-work rates are among the best in the country. In addition, survival is well above the national average.

Staff
Cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, nurses, and other professional staff associated with the Heart Improvement Program have provided cardiac diagnostic and treatment services to patients throughout the region. Many have pioneered services and procedures to help treat and prevent heart disease. All cardiologists are certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and its subspecialty Board of Cardiovascular Disease, and all surgeons are certified by the American Board of Surgery and American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

Philosophy of Care
The Heart Improvement Program works with the patient's primary care physician to provide optimal treatment of congestive heart failure. HIP believes that maintaining a team approach as we care for our patients serves them well and aids in the best outcomes.

Heart Improvement Program

• More than 1,000 patients throughout the region.
• A satellite network established in various outpatient hospital clinics.
• National leaders in the care of cardiac patients.
• A team-based approach from diagnosis through treatment and rehabilitation.
• A foundation based on compassion and staff expertise.
• A tradition of excellence and caring in partnership with the patient's physician and hospital.

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Heart Improvement Program • (402) 328-3888