Locations
UCSF Heart Transplant
San Francisco, CA
Phone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Alameda Alliance for Health
Anthem BC Life & Health Insurance Company
Blue Cross of California
Blue Shield of California
CIGNA Health Care
Health Net Of California
Medical Card System Inc
UnitedHealthcare
UCSF Cardiovascular Care Center
San Francisco, CA
About
Bio
Liviu Klein, MD, MS, is the Director of the Mechanical Circulatory Support and Heart Failure Device Programs in the Division of Cardiology at the University of California San Francisco. Dr. Klein is knowledgeable in management of advanced heart failure patients using ultrafiltration, mechanical assist devices (both percutaneous and implantable) and heart transplantation. He actively follows patients with electrical devices such as cardiac resynchronization therapy, defibrillators, pacemakers, and implantable hemodynamic monitoring systems. Dr. Klein's research expertise lies in epidemiology and clinical trial development. He is currently funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health, St. Jude Medical, CVRx, Sunshine Heart. Dr. Klein has published extensively in medical journals on topics of heart failure. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Cardiology
Cardiac Electrophysiology
Licenses
United States: California
Languages spoken
English, Romanian
Doctor Q&A
231 Answers
172 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Yes: No relation between sun exposure and icd.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Routine test: It's a routine noninvasive test to check the heart function, including the valves.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
No: Heart failure is a progressive condition that is often an end result of coronary disease, uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes, or due to genetic con... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Many: There are major vessels: right coronary artery and left main coronary artery that divides into the left anterior descending artery and left circumflex... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 59-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
None needed: If your blood pressure is less than 120/65 mmhg, if your total cholesterol is less than 180 mg/dl, if you don't have diabetes, if you never smoked and... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Heart failure: Pulmonary edema is a result of heart failure. When the heart doesn't squeeze ir doesn't relax properly, pressures in the heart can rise and cause 'wat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Care: Depending on the degree of stenosis, patients should avoid exertion that can cause passing out. Best is to do light activities and not to exercise (mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Many: Depending on the patient risk and other comorbidities and need for concomitant surgery (other valve, bypass), one can have mini aortic valve replaceme... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old male asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
No specific timefram: As long as you are properly anticoagulated, you should be fine. Try to stop and walk for a few minutes every couple of hours.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
AHA website: Try the american heart association website, they have tons of recipes and you can even buy a book that features healthy recipes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Not good: Based on the randomized controlled trial - women's health initiative - hormone therapy is not protective for cardiovascular disease and my even cause ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Most: Quinolone or macrolide antibiotics are the ones mostly associated with prolonged QT. The other classes are safer. As always, beware of interactions wi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Could be lupus: It could be lupus erythematosus. You should see a a rheumatologist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Usually EP docs know: Usually ep docs are right about these things, it's what they deal with on a daily basis. If you have a normal heart function (ejection fraction > 55%)... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
No: Pacemakers are placed almost always for heart block (short circuit of the electrical impulses between upper and lower heart chamber), condition that i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Symptoms: One should get an ECG only when they have symptoms suggestive of heart problems: chest discomfort or pain, palpitations or shortness of breath. Otherw... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Could be hereditary: You could have an inherited form of hypertrygliceridemia. I would advise you to check thyroid levels and glucose tolerance to rule out other causes. Y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Many questions: Ask about personal experience, outcomes (survival, stroke rate, renal failure, sternal infection rate), length of stay post-op, type of valve used (bi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Some: Diuretics eliminate water so one can lose some weight; this is not 'real' weight loss though.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Yes: Lost accurate lipid panel (hdl, LDL and triglycerides) is obtained after a 10 hour fast.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Ca channel blocker: It is a calcium channel blocker used to treat a variety of supraventricular arrhythmias - decreases the heart rate when it goes too fast.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Not helpful: Vitamins and minerals will not help your blood clot. You need to take a blood thinner. If you take Coumadin (warfarin) make sure you are not raking an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Prevents most events: Statins (but not zetia) can markedly decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke, depending on one's risk. Those at highest risk (e.g. 65 years old w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Not on its own: It is a very serious condition that needs specialized treatment. Depending on the cause, if treatment is initiated early the pressures may decrease al... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Get checked now!: These are symptoms that may be consistent with angina - heart pain. Need to get to er asap and check them out!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
It is good: While blood pressure can increase during exercise as the body needs more oxygen delivered to the tissues, regular exercise actually is associated with... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 69-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Unlikely: If your blood pressure drops too much after taking both Lisinopril and norvasc, (amlodipine) it is possible to see 'floaters' as consequence. Check yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Heart attack: Coronary angiogram is needed in case of acute myocardial infarction, or to diagnose the severity of coronary disease after a positive stress test.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Multiple: Emboli can come from the heart (blood clots as result of atrial fibrillation for instance), or from the aorta and carotid arteries (usually calcified ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Stent: Coronary stent placement is done percutaneously (i.e. Through a small puncture in the groin or wrist) via an artery, and deploys a small tube/ mesh (t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Sometimes: If you eat lots of fish, there's little chance of omega three fatty acids toxicity. However, taking too many tablets of omega three fatty acids can le... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Heart failure: This is typically seen on echocardiogram in patients who have or will develop heart failure, most often as result of coronary artery disease. You need... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 60-year-old female asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Not clear: Diastolic dysfunction is a stiffening of the heart that one experiences with aging, especially if one had high blood pressure or diabetes or being ove... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Aortic regurgitation: If the bicuspid valve does not close properly, one can develop aortic regurgitation which in time may lead to left ventricular enlargement and heart f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 53-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Not very: Annually there are ~ 2000 adult heart transplants performed in the US and another 1000 throughout the rest if the world. Annually it is estimated that... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Yes: Ejection fraction is one of the most frequent calculated numbers based on pictures taken during an echocardiogram.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
No: There are no known interactions.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Infections: Most common cause, although rare these days in the westernized world, is rheumatic fever (due to strep infectipns) in young age, which leads to scarri... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
It depends: It depends on the location and size of the Q waves in relation to the other parts of the qrs complex. Ask your doctor to look at the ECG and let you k... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Outer layer: The outer layer 'pericardium' is inflamed in pericarditis and can produce 'liquid' and cause pain by stimulating the nerves that supply it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
No: Contagious means spreadable - only infections diseases are spreadable. Some mitral valve prolapse are inherited and could be genetically transmitted t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Absolutely: Medications, electrical devices (pacemakers, defibrillators), surgical treatments (including lvads and heart transplant) have more than doubled the su... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Symptoms: Cardiac ischemia (lack of enough blood supply to a part of the heart muscle) can manifest as shorteness of breath (second most common symptom after ch... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
It depends: If they are associated with chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, passing out, you should call 911 and go now. Otherwise, follow with your physi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
PTCA: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, basically an intervention through the arteries of the groin or wrist, to open up a blockage that occur... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
No: Heart attacks are caused by plaque rupture (little fatty deposits inside the blood vessels that feed the heart muscle). Once it happens, it is essenti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Myo and pericarditis: Inflammation can be of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or of the lining of the heart (pericarditis). Myocarditis is often viral and sometimes can lead ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Heart rhythm problem: Atrial fibrillation is a disorder of heart rhythm and is caused by abnormal electrical impulses originating around the pulmonary vein that spread to t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
It depends: It depends on the number of vessels treated, number of stents that need to be deployed and their localization in the artery (high risk vs. Low risk), ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Liviu Kleinanswered
Cardiology 25 years experience
Unlikely: Low vitamin levels are usually not linked to ist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
2
Recommendations
451
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Klein is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Klein is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Dear Dr. Klein, Thank you for your time and advice. After reading your advice i have taken a resolve to pay active attention to my health and hopefully work up on these indicators. I did consult my do...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank you for answering my question, but because i have no ins my doc is scouting for someone to help me. This seems to be taking to long in my opinion. I guess thats what happens to us people who are...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank you Dr...It was for svt induced AF... My EP called this morning and confirmed your diagnosis. I know your time is valuable and appreciate how you sacraficed some of it for me.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Medicine and Pharmacy 'Carol Davila', Romania
Graduated 1998MD
Residency
ADVOCATE ILLINOIS MASONIC MEDICAL CENTER
Awards
Associate Professor
Director, MechanicL Circulatory Support and Heart Failure Device Program
HealthTap Scholar
Affiliations
UCSF Division of Cardiology
Publications
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