Heart transplantation is one of the most successful treatments for end-stage heart failure. A heart transplant replaces a severely diseased or malformed heart with a new heart from a human organ donor. Heart transplantation should be considered when heart failure worsens to the point that the prognosis is poor despite the use of medications and pacemaker-type devices. Careful screening by the transplant program will determine if you are a suitable candidate.
Transplantation is a treatment, not a cure, for heart failure. When it is successful, it offers an average of 9 to 15 years of additional life.
Keep in mind that transplant surgery is only one step in the process. Once you receive a heart transplant, you must commit to taking daily medication (immunosuppressants) to prevent rejection of the donor heart and other medications to protect from infections and complications. These medications must be taken for the rest of your life.
In addition to heart transplants, we offer implantable heart pumps — sometimes called an artificial heart — to help patients stay alive until a donor heart is available.
This site is designed for adult heart patients. Click the tabs below to learn about the different steps in the heart transplant process, find helpful resources, and learn more about our program.
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