Get Uk Healthcare Heart Transplant And Ventricular Assist Device Consultation Form

Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs): A Bridge to Heart Transplant. If you need a heart transplant, a ventricular assist device (VAD) can help your heart work while you wait. It can also give you a better quality of life.

Patients who are categorized as Status 1 and 2 have top priority in receiving heart transplants. They are often severely ill, may be on advanced life support, and are not expected to survive more than a month. For these reasons, they will be offered an available heart first.

Heart transplants are uncommon for two reasons: Donor heart shortage. Transplanting a heart requires a donor, and donors are in short supply. Plus, the donor and recipient must be a “match.” That means both people must have a compatible blood type and similar body size.

To qualify for a heart transplant, patients must be diagnosed with end-stage heart failure. Patients will also receive a heart evaluation. If approved, patients will be added to the heart transplant waiting list until a donor heart becomes available.

A heart transplant may be considered if: you have significant heart failure, where the heart is having trouble pumping enough blood around the body (usually the result of coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy or congenital heart disease) you have severe symptoms, despite medical treatment.

Your doctor may recommend that you get a VAD if: You're waiting for a heart transplant (bridge to transplant). A VAD may be temporarily used while you wait for a donor heart to become available. A VAD can keep blood pumping through your body despite a damaged heart.

You might not be a good candidate for a heart transplant if you: Are at an advanced age that would interfere with the ability to recover from transplant surgery. Have another medical condition that could shorten your life, regardless of receiving a donor heart, such as a serious kidney, liver or lung disease.

Criteria for a Heart Transplant Candidate Are younger than 69 years old. Have been diagnosed with an end-stage heart disease like cardiomyopathy or coronary artery disease. Have been given a prognosis that suggests you have a risk of mortality within the next year if a heart transplant is not performed.