Dr. Sarah Chuzi
Transplant Cardiologist
1 Podcast on BackTable
Dr. Sarah Chuzi is a transplant cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, Illinois.
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Episode # 445 • 10 Apr 2026
Heart Failure: The Essential Role of Palliative Care in Advanced Therapies
Dr. Jenna Skowronski, Dr. Shazli Khan, and Dr. Alix Barnes discuss the involvement of palliative care throughout the heart failure spectrum with Dr. Sarah Chuzi. Audio editing for this episode was performed by CardioNerds Intern, Dr. Julia Marques Fernandes.
In this episode, we discuss utilizing palliative care principles while caring for patients with heart failure, particularly those being considered for advanced therapies. We emphasize utilization of communication frameworks when discussing prognosis and making decisions on pursuing therapies such as palliative inotropes, left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), and heart transplant. Additionally, we discuss when to involve specialty palliative care services. Finally, we highlight the difference between palliative care and hospice and how to help patients navigate the transition from life-prolonging care to hospice.
Dr. Jenna Skowronski is the Chair for the CardioNerds Heart Failure Council. Dr. Jenna Skowronski and Dr. Shazli Khan are the Co-chairs for the CardioNerds Advanced Heart Failure Therapies Series. Dr. Alix Barnes is the CardioNerds FIT Ambassador at UPMC and member of the CardioNerds Critical Care Cardiology Council.
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About
Dr. Sarah Chuzi is a cardiologist specializing in advanced heart failure and heart transplantation at Northwestern Medicine and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She is board certified in cardiovascular disease, advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology, and internal medicine, with clinical expertise in the management of patients with complex and advanced heart failure. Dr. Chuzi earned her medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and completed her residency and fellowship training at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. In addition to her work at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, she established an advanced heart failure clinic at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center to expand veterans’ access to specialized heart failure care and advanced therapies, including ventricular assist devices and heart transplantation.
Visit Northwestern Medicine to learn more about Dr. Sarah Chuzi.
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