Complete Revascularization in High risk Indicated Patients Program (CHIP)

Complete revascularization in High risk Indicated Patients Program

The UCLA CHIP program represents a multidisciplinary Heart Team approach to patients with complex coronary artery disease and heart failure who are considered high risk for revascularization of their coronary artery blockages.  Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease, resulting in the deaths of more than 370,000 Americans annually. The disease is characterized by a constriction of the arteries that supply blood to the heart due to plaque buildup. The condition leads to chest discomfort (angina), shortness of breath and increased risk of heart attack. With advancements in heart failure therapies, more patients with multiple risk factors such as advanced age, diabetes, previous cardiac surgeries, and peripheral vascular disease, these patients with complex coronary artery disease are in need of interventions that can only be offered in tertiary centers in a multidisciplinary manner with the appropriate expertise.

The UCLA CHIP Heart Team is a multidisciplinary team comprising of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Heart Failure, and Mechanical Circulatory Support teams. The UCLA CHIP program offers complete percutaneous revascularization options for patients without surgical options with hemodynamic support when required. Patients referred to the UCLA CHIP program undergo a multidisciplinary evaluation by Interventional Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Heart Failure specialists to assess what are the best options for each patient and are discussed in multidisciplinary selection committee. UCLA offers a broad option of therapies including medical therapies, surgical or percutaneous coronary revascularizations and also heart transplantation and Left Ventricular Assist Devices. The priority is always to optimize medical therapies and when possible offer revascularization for patients who would be considered high risk due to complex coronary disease and heart failure with temporary mechanical support devices to offer blood pressure support in patients with heart failure and a weak heart function when indicated. The UCLA CHIP team has full expertise in cutting edge therapies and technologies to offer full revascularization for theses complex coronary blockages. This includes expertise in addressing Chronic Total Occlusions (CTO) for blocked vessels and state of the art rotablation, orbital atherectomy, and laser systems for calcified coronary arteries. Furthermore the UCLA CHIP program has surgical and cardiology expertise to offer hemodynamic support for heart failure and weak heart function in indicated patients with percutaneous ventricular assist devices such as Impella ® and / or extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO) temporary support during the procedure.

As well, UCLA offers minimally invasive valvular therapies when indicated for patients who may have aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. UCLA, under the CHIP program, will offer advanced services of interventional cardiology, structural cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac surgery and transplantation. In summary, we offer a one stop multidisciplinary consultation and therapy to treat "any cardiac patient", regardless of their complex cardiac condition.

For more information, please contact:

Aaron Kaye, RN, BSN, CCRN

Heart Failure & Heart Transplant

Outreach Coordinator

Transplant Services

Cell: 310.746.8415

Fax: 424-322-5362

1145 Gayley Avenue Suite 301

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Email: ahkaye@mednet.ucla.edu (Link opens in new window)