Jennifer Thibodeau, M.D.

Medical Director, Heart Failure; Medical Director, ECMO

Internal Medicine - Cardiology
Heart Transplant
Heart Failure & Cardiac Support

New Patient Appointment Accepting Virtual Visits or 214-645-8000

Biography

Jennifer Thibodeau, M.D., M.S.C.S., is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine’s Division of Cardiology at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where she is also Medical Director of the Heart Failure Program and the ECMO Program.

A cardiologist who specializes in heart failure, left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), and cardiac transplantation, Dr. Thibodeau focuses both her clinical and research activities in those areas.

Board certified in cardiovascular disease and advanced heart failure/transplant cardiology, she joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2011.

In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Thibodeau instructs and supervises medical students, internal medicine residents, cardiology fellows, and advanced heart failure/transplant cardiology fellows during heart-failure rotations and clinics.

Dr. Thibodeau earned her medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She completed an internal medicine internship and residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center, serving an additional year as Chief Resident. She completed her fellowships in cardiology and advanced heart failure/transplant cardiology at UT Southwestern. She also holds an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Georgetown University and a master's degree in clinical sciences from UT Southwestern.

She was a 2012 finalist for the American Heart Association’s Samuel A. Levine Young Clinical Investigator Award and a recipient of the 2015 "Young Author Achievement Award" by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure. Dr. Thibodeau is a clinical researcher involved with a number of clinical trials at UT Southwestern, and her work has been published in major journals, including a study describing a new symptom of heart failure, called bendopnea, or shortness of breath when bending forward.

She is a member of professional organizations that include the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation, and the Heart Failure Society of America.

Dr. Thibodeau was named a Texas Rising Star in 2015, 2016, and 2017; and in 2018, she was named a Super Doctor by Texas Monthly.

Meet Dr. Thibodeau

Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation Specialist

When patients diagnosed with heart failure choose cardiology specialist Jennifer Thibodeau, M.D., M.S.C.S., and UT Southwestern Medical Center for their cardiac care, they get the peace of mind that comes with selecting a heart care team that’s unsurpassed in Texas.

“Our program is among the best in the country,” says Dr. Thibodeau. “I am proud to be part of a team of such skilled and experienced colleagues who have such compassion for their patients.”

As the Medical Director of Heart Failure at UT Southwestern, Dr. Thibodeau’s clinical focus is on medically managing patients with heart failure, including those whose conditions are so advanced that they require a heart transplant or left ventricular assist device (LVAD). She is also interested in the hemodynamic assessment of patients with dyspnea and heart failure.

“I enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of caring for patients with heart failure,” says Dr. Thibodeau. “One of the most gratifying parts of my job is to be able to offer those who have advanced heart failure a second chance at life with a heart transplant. At the same time, it is extremely rewarding to be able to improve the symptoms, quality of life, and outcomes of patients who are not as advanced as to need transplant or LVAD."

She thrives on caring for her patients and values the bond she develops with them.

“I believe it's essential for patients and their physicians to develop a good, trusting relationship, and I find great joy in taking care of patients over many years and really getting to know them and their families,” says Dr. Thibodeau.

“I’m very proud of the excellent care that UT Southwestern delivers to our heart failure patients,” Dr. Thibodeau adds.

Education & Training

Fellowship - UT Southwestern Medical School (2007-2010), Cardiology
Graduate School - UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Fellowship - UT Southwestern Medical School (2010-2011), Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology
Chief Resident - University of Maryland Medical Center (2006-2007), Internal Medicine
Residency - University of Maryland Medical Center (2003-2006), Internal Medicine
Medical School - University of Maryland School of Medicine (1999-2003)

Professional Associations & Affiliations

American Heart Association
International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Heart Failure Society of America, FHFSA
American College of Cardiology, FACC

Honors & Awards

Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Heart Failure's Young Author Achievement Award 2015
American Heart Association Samuel A. Levine Young Clinical Investigator Award Finalist 2012

Books & Publications

Publications
- Hypoxemia in a patient with biventricular HeartWare ventricular assist devices.
  Velez-Martinez M, Albaugh MA, Amin AA, Thibodeau JT, Miskin JD, Mammen PPA, Markham DW, Reimold SC, Drazner MH, McKinnon LJ, Meyer DM, Bethea BT, Mishkin JD. Mechanical Circulatory Support 2103 4 22638
- Predicting Post-Heart Transplant Composite Renal Outcome Risk in Adults: A Machine Learning Decision Tool.
  Mete M, Ayvaci MUS, Ariyamuthu VK, Amin A, Peltz M, Thibodeau JT, Grodin JL, Mammen PPA, Garg S, Araj F, Morlend R, Drazner MH, AbdulRahim N, Kim Y, Salam Y, Gungor AB, Delibasi B, Kotla SK, MacConmara MP, Mohan Anand P, Gupta G, Tanriover B, Kidney international reports 2022 Jun 7 6 1410-1415
- Comparison of Accuracy of Estimation of Cardiac Output by Thermodilution Versus the Fick Method Using Measured Oxygen Uptake.
  Narang N, Thibodeau JT, Parker WF, Grodin JL, Garg S, Tedford RJ, Levine BD, McGuire DK, Drazner MH, The American journal of cardiology 2022 May
- Subclinical myocardial injury and the phenotype of clinical congestion in patients with heart failure and reduced left ventrcular ejection fraction.
  Thibodeau JT, Pham DD, Kelly SA, Ayers CR, Garg S, Grodin JL, Drazner MH, Journal of cardiac failure 2021 Sep
- Identifying Discordance of Right- and Left-Ventricular Filling Pressures in Patients with Heart Failure by the Clinical Examination.
  Pham D, Drazner MH, Ayers CR, Grodin JL, Hardin EA, Garg S, Mammen PPA, Amin A, Araj FG, Morlend RM, Thibodeau JT, Circulation. Heart failure 2021 Sep
- An early relook identifies high-risk trajectories in ambulatory advanced heart failure.
  Kittleson MM, Ambardekar AV, Stevenson LW, Gilotra NA, Shah P, Ewald GA, Thibodeau JT, Stehlik J, Palardy M, Estep JD, Cascino TM, Baldwin JT, Jeffries N, Khalatbari S, Yosef M, Peters WT, Richards B, Mann DL, Aaronson KD, Stewart GC, The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation 2021 Sep
- Discordance Between Severity of Heart Failure as Determined by Patient Report Versus Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing.
  Michelis KC, Grodin JL, Zhong L, Pandey A, Toto K, Ayers CR, Thibodeau JT, Drazner MH, Journal of the American Heart Association 2021 Jun e019864
- Superior vena cava stenosis presenting with bendopnea.
  Li M, Toomay S, Drazner MH, Thibodeau JT, BMJ case reports 2021 Apr 14 4
- Predictive Value of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Parameters in Ambulatory Advanced Heart Failure.
  Lala A, Shah KB, Lanfear DE, Thibodeau JT, Palardy M, Ambardekar AV, McNamara DM, Taddei-Peters WC, Baldwin JT, Jeffries N, Khalatbari S, Spino C, Richards B, Mann DL, Stewart GC, Aaronson KD, Mancini DM, JACC. Heart failure 2021 Mar 9 3 226-236
- 2020 ACC/AHA Clinical Performance and Quality Measures for Adults With Heart Failure: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Performance Measures.
  Heidenreich PA, Fonarow GC, Breathett K, Jurgens CY, Pisani BA, Pozehl BJ, Spertus JA, Taylor KG, Thibodeau JT, Yancy CW, Ziaeian B, Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2020 Nov 76 21 2527-2564
- 2020 ACC/AHA Clinical Performance and Quality Measures for Adults With Heart Failure: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Performance Measures.
  Heidenreich PA, Fonarow GC, Breathett K, Jurgens CY, Pisani BA, Pozehl BJ, Spertus JA, Taylor KG, Thibodeau JT, Yancy CW, Ziaeian B, Circulation. Cardiovascular quality and outcomes 2020 Nov 13 11 e000099
- Telehealth for Uptitration of Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy in Heart Failure.
  Thibodeau JT, Gorodeski EZ, Circulation 2020 Oct 142 16 1507-1509
- Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Coronavirus Disease-2019-Positive Patient: A Case Report.
  Dave S, Thibodeau JT, Styrvoky K, Bhatt SH, A&A practice 2020 Sep 14 11 e01304
- Feasibility of Remote Video Assessment of Jugular Venous Pressure and Implications for Telehealth.
  Kelly SA, Schesing KB, Thibodeau JT, Ayers CR, Drazner MH, JAMA cardiology 2020 Jul
- Virtual Visits for Care of Patients with Heart Failure in the Era of COVID-19: A Statement from the Heart Failure Society of America.
  Gorodeski EZ, Goyal P, Cox ZL, Thibodeau JT, Reay RE, Rasmusson K, Rogers JG, Starling RC, Journal of cardiac failure 2020 Jun 26 6 448-456
- Bioelectrical impedance analysis: Can it help in the assessment of congestion?
  Thibodeau JT, Drazner MH, Journal of cardiac failure 2019 Dec
- Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Patient Desire for Early LVAD Therapy Prior to Inotrope Dependence.
  Tchoukina I, Shah KB, Thibodeau JT, Estep JD, Lala A, Lanfear DE, Gilotra NA, Pamboukian SV, Horstmanshof DA, McNamara DM, Haas DC, Jorde UP, McLean RC, Cascino TM, Khalatbari S, Richards B, Yosef M, Spino C, Baldwin JT, Mann DL, Aaronson KD, Stewart GC, Journal of cardiac failure 2019 Dec
- When can heart failure treatment be stopped safely?
  Thibodeau JT, Drazner MH, Lancet (London, England) 2019 07 394 10194 216-217
- Outcomes with ambulatory advanced heart failure from the Medical Arm of Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (MedaMACS) Registry.
  Ambardekar AV, Kittleson MM, Palardy M, Mountis MM, Forde-McLean RC, DeVore AD, Pamboukian SV, Thibodeau JT, Teuteberg JJ, Cadaret L, Xie R, Taddei-Peters W, Naftel DC, Kirklin JK, Stevenson LW, Stewart GC, The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation 2019 Apr 38 4 408-417
- Delayed febrile response with bloodstream infections in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices.
  Wrobel CA, Drazner MH, Ayers CR, Pham DD, La Hoz RM, Grodin JL, Garg S, Mammen PPA, Morlend RM, Araj F, Amin AA, Cornwell WK, Thibodeau JT Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research 2019 Mar 67 3 653-658
- Reply: The Role of the Clinical Examination in Patients With Heart Failure.
  Thibodeau JT, Drazner MH JACC. Heart failure 2018 Nov 6 11 971
- The Role of the Clinical Examination in Patients With Heart Failure.
  Thibodeau JT, Drazner MH JACC. Heart failure 2018 Jul 6 7 543-551
- Impact of bendopnea on postoperative outcomes in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement.
  Dominguez-Rodriguez A, Thibodeau JT, Ayers CR, Jimenez-Sosa A, Garrido P, Montoto J, Prada-Arrondo PC, Abreu-Gonzalez P, Drazner MH Interactive cardiovascular and thoracic surgery 2018 Jun
- Predictors of Death in Adults With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy-Associated Cardiomyopathy.
  Cheeran D, Khan S, Khera R, Bhatt A, Garg S, Grodin JL, Morlend R, Araj FG, Amin AA, Thibodeau JT, Das S, Drazner MH, Mammen PPA Journal of the American Heart Association 2017 Oct 6 10
- Discordant Perceptions of Prognosis and Treatment Options Between Physicians and Patients With Advanced Heart Failure.
  Ambardekar AV, Thibodeau JT, DeVore AD, Kittleson MM, Forde-McLean RC, Palardy M, Mountis MM, Cadaret L, Teuteberg JJ, Pamboukian SV, Xie R, Stevenson LW, Stewart GC JACC. Heart failure 2017 Sep 5 9 663-671
- Implantation of a left ventricular assist device to provide long-term support for end-stage Duchenne muscular dystrophy-associated cardiomyopathy.
  Stoller D, Araj F, Amin A, Fitzsimmons C, Morlend R, Thibodeau JT, Ramaciotti C, Drazner MH, Meyer DM, Mammen PPA ESC heart failure 2017 Aug 4 3 379-383
- Bendopnea and risk of adverse clinical outcomes in ambulatory patients with systolic heart failure.
  Thibodeau JT, Jenny BE, Maduka JO, Divanji PH, Ayers CR, Araj F, Amin AA, Morlend RM, Mammen PP, Drazner MH American heart journal 2017 Jan 183 102-107
- High early event rates in patients with questionable eligibility for advanced heart failure therapies: Results from the Medical Arm of Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (Medamacs) Registry.
  Ambardekar AV, Forde-McLean RC, Kittleson MM, Stewart GC, Palardy M, Thibodeau JT, DeVore AD, Mountis MM, Cadaret L, Teuteberg JJ, Pamboukian SV, Cantor RS, Lindenfeld J The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation 2016 Jan
- Association between Bendopnea and Key Parameters of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Patients with Advanced Heart Failure.
  Dominguez-Rodriguez A, Thibodeau JT, Abreu-Gonzalez P, Ayers CR, Jimenez-Sosa A, Aranda JM, Drazner MH Journal of cardiac failure 2015 Dec
- Reply: bendopnea and pseudobendopnea.
  Thibodeau JT, Levine BD, Drazner MH JACC. Heart failure 2014 Oct 2 5 540-1
- Reply: "bendopnea" or "kamptopnea?": some thoughts on terminology and mechanisms.
  Thibodeau JT, Levine BD, Drazner MH JACC. Heart failure 2014 Aug 2 4 426
- Variation of heart transplant rates in the united states during holidays.
  Grodin JL, Ayers CR, Thibodeau JT, Mishkin JD, Mammen PP, Markham DW, Drazner MH, Patel PC Clinical transplantation 2014 Jun
- A Sensitive Cardiac Troponin I Assay to Screen for Acute Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients.
  Patel PC, Hill DA, Ayers CR, Kaiser P, Lavingia B, Dyer AK, Barnes AP, Thibodeau JT, Mishkin JD, Mammen PP, Markham DW, Stastny P, Ring WS, de Lemos JA, Drazner MH Circulation. Heart failure 2014 Apr
- Characterization of a novel symptom of advanced heart failure: bendopnea.
  Thibodeau JT, Turer AT, Gualano SK, Ayers CR, Velez-Martinez M, Mishkin JD, Patel PC, Mammen PP, Markham DW, Levine BD, Drazner MH JACC. Heart failure 2014 Feb 2 1 24-31
- Tolerability of sirolimus: a decade of experience at a single cardiac transplant center.
  Thibodeau JT, Mishkin JD, Patel PC, Kaiser PA, Ayers CR, Mammen PP, Markham DW, Ring WS, Peltz M, Drazner MH Clinical transplantation 2013 Nov-Dec 27 6 945-52
- Inaccuracy of Estimated Resting Oxygen Uptake in the Clinical Setting.
  Narang N, Thibodeau JT, Levine BD, Gore MO, Ayers CR, Lange RA, Cigarroa JE, Turer AT, de Lemos JA, McGuire DK Circulation 2013 Sep
- Relationship of Right- to Left-Ventricular Filling Pressures in Advanced Heart Failure: Insights from the ESCAPE Trial.
  Drazner MH, Velez-Martinez M, Ayers C, Reimold SC, Thibodeau JT, Mishkin JD, Mammen PP, Markham DW, Patel CB Circulation. Heart failure 2013 Feb
- Health insurance as a requirement to undergo cardiac transplantation: a national survey of transplant program practices.
  Thibodeau JT, Rao MP, Gupta C, Ayers CR, Gupta S, Mammen PP, Markham DW, Mishkin JD, Patel PC, King LP, Drazner MH Transplantation proceedings 2013 Jan 45 1 360-3
- Sirolimus use and incidence of venous thromboembolism in cardiac transplant recipients.
  Thibodeau JT, Mishkin JD, Patel PC, Kaiser PA, Ayers CR, Mammen PP, Markham DW, Ring WS, Peltz M, Drazner MH Clinical transplantation 2012 Nov 26 6 953-9
- The natural history of new-onset heart failure with a severely depressed left ventricular ejection fraction: implications for timing of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation.
  Teeter WA, Thibodeau JT, Rao K, Brickner ME, Toto KH, Nelson LL, Mishkin JD, Ayers CR, Miller JG, Mammen PP, Patel PC, Markham DW, Drazner MH American heart journal 2012 Sep 164 3 358-64
- IIIB or not IIIB: a previously unanswered question.
  Thibodeau JT, Mishkin JD, Patel PC, Mammen PP, Markham DW, Drazner MH Journal of cardiac failure 2012 May 18 5 367-72
- Utilization of cardiac computed tomography angiography for the diagnosis of left ventricular assist device thrombosis.
  Mishkin JD, Enriquez JR, Meyer DM, Bethea BT, Thibodeau JT, Patel PC, Markham DW, Mammen PP, Velez-Martinez M, Drazner MH Circulation. Heart failure 2012 Mar 5 2 e27-9
- Health Insurance is Usually Required for Heart Transplant Recipients but not Donors; When Informed of this Discrepancy, Public Willingness to Donate May Decrease
  Thibodeau JT, Rao MP, Gupta C, Ayers CR, Gupta S, Mammen PPA, Markham DW, Mishkin JD, Patel PC, King LP, Drazner MH Journal of Cardiac Failure 2010 16 S49
- Cardiovascular Disease
  Taylor JA, Benitez RM In: Wolfsthal SD, ed. NMS-Medicine, Sixth edition. Baltimore, MD. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkens 2007 1-50
- B-type natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide are depressed in obesity despite higher left ventricular end diastolic pressures.
  Taylor JA, Christenson RH, Rao K, Jorge M, Gottlieb SS American heart journal 2006 Dec 152 6 1071-6