UPMC Recognized as National Leader in Heart Transplant Outcomes by SRTR

We are proud to announce that the UPMC Heart Transplant Program was recently recognized by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) as a top transplant program in two distinct outcome categories. UPMC is the national leader in 90-day survival rate following heart transplantation and is among the top nationally for patient survival rates at 30 days and one-year post transplant.

With an estimated 90-day survival rate of 100%, UPMC leads the nation in 90-day survival rates for heart transplant. From January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023, our team evaluated 69 transplants. The probability of surviving with a functional graft at 90 days is 100% at UPMC compared to 95.01% at centers nationwide. There were no observed graft failures during the first 90 days after transplant for UPMC patients.

UPMC also had an estimated hazard ratio of 0.38 for 90-day mortality after transplant. The hazard ratio provides an estimate on how the results of UPMC compare with what was expected based on modeling the transplant outcomes from all U.S. programs.

The UPMC Heart Transplant Program additionally ranks among the top in the nation for patient survival rates at 30 days and one-year post transplant with an estimated 30-day survival rate of 100% and estimated one-year survival rate of 96.54%.

“This new data exemplifies the outstanding talent and skill of entire transplant team,” says David Kaczorowski, MD, surgical director, UPMC Heart Transplant Program. “Our extensive experience and legacy of excellence are unparalleled. We remain committed to innovation and achieving patient outcomes that are consistently among the best.”

In 2023, the UPMC Heart Transplant Program was the highest volume center in Pennsylvania. Our team achieves exemplary clinical outcomes and utilizes innovative solutions, including donation after circulatory death (DCD), to safely and effectively increase the number of donor organs available for those in need. In 2023, our program was one of the top utilizers of DCD hearts and, as a percentage of our total volume, we were leaders in the U.S.

Our continued dedication to innovation and patient care has allowed us to achieve groundbreaking milestones throughout the years.

• UPMC was the second center in the world to perform a successful heart-lung transplant.
• UPMC was the first center in the world to perform a successful heart-liver transplant.
• UPMC was the second center in the nation to implant Jarvik Artificial Heart as a bridge-to-transplant.
• UPMC was the first center to discharge a patient home after a cardiac assist device implantation.
• UPMC was the first heart transplant center in Pennsylvania to perform a donation after circulatory death (DCD) heart transplant.

With more than 1,700 adult heart transplants completed, including some patients at their 30-year transplantation anniversary, UPMC’s rich legacy and excellent outcomes define the program as a pioneer in the field of heart transplant.

To learn more, or to refer a patient, contact cttransplant@upmc.edu