Transplant Center

Criteria have been established to help determine if a patient is a candidate for transplantation. The criteria explain the reasons for inclusion in, or exclusion from a heart transplant.

Inclusion
Criteria for heart transplant evaluation:

• Cardiomyopathy
• Ischemic Heart Disease
• Hypertrophic Heart Disease
• Severe decompensated inoperable valvular heart disease
• Congenital heart disease
• Any other cardiac abnormalities that severely limit normal function and/or have a mortality risk of greater than 5o percent at two years
• Ventricular Assist Device dependent patients who meet criteria for transplantation
• Age less than 65 years (will consider 65 to 70 years old on case by case basis)
• Life threatening heart rhythm disorders that fail treatment
• Chest pain refractory to maximum medical and surgical therapy

Exclusion
Factors and considerations that may result in exclusion from heart transplantation include:

• Patients with active cancer or infection
• Patients who are overweight
• Patients who are actively smoking
• Patients who are actively using drugs and/or alcohol

Smokers will be considered for transplant, provided they are otherwise eligible, only if they remain smoke-free for a minimum of six months. Random nicotine screening may be utilized if necessary.