Guidry News Service recently visited with UTMB’s Dr. Wissam Khalife, currently the interim director of the Heart Failure/Transplant and Left Ventricular Assist Device Program at UTMB. “Heart failure is one of the biggest problems in the United States, especially as we get older; then the chance or the risk of getting heart failure is very high,” Khalife said, noting the advances in surgery and medications. “Medical treatment is, for sure, much better than the past.” Khalife cited improvements in heart transplant technology as well as use of artificial pumps to keep patients alive much longer. He is conducting clinical research on a new drug treatment for patients with acute heart failure exacerbation.