Cor Vasa 2010, 52(3):149-153 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2010.041

Characteristics of patients on the waiting list for heart transplantation

Ivan Málek^*, Markéta Hegarová

Klinika kardiologie, Institut klinické a experimentální medicíny, Praha, Česká republika

Introduction: The waiting list for heart transplantation comprises patients with advanced heart failure in whom all other therapeutic options have failed and who meet the criteria for heart transplantation.
Waiting list analysis: As of 22 June 2009, the waiting list for heart transplantation included 51 patients. Ninety percent of these were individuals with coronary heart disease or dilated cardiomyopathy. The median waiting time was 307 days for urgent patients, and 398 days for those listed as normal status candidates. Severe pulmonary hypertension was present in 22% of patients, median B-natriuretic peptide concentration was 517.9 nith high inter-individual variability. Eighty percent of patients were treated using non-pharmacological management of heart failure, most often by myocardial revascularization, placement of an implantable cardioverter--defibrillator, and cardiac resynchronization therapy. Preformed anti-HLA antibodies were detected in 20% of patients.

Conclusion: We hope this analysis of and discussion about the techniques of management of patients with advanced heart failure may furnish information of interest for the clinical cardiologist and be helpful in improving care of these patients.

Keywords: Heart failure; Heart transplantation; B-natriuretic peptide

Published: March 1, 2010  Show citation