Heart Transplant
With a rich history that includes performing more than 1,400 transplants since the program’s inception, the UPMC Heart Transplant Program is one of the most experienced in the world.
Today, our experts work together to diagnose and treat patients with heart disease. Through collaboration between the UPMC Heart Transplant Program and the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, we provide a single point of entry and a seamless transition of care for patients who require heart transplantation.
Learn more about our program’s outcomes.
Comprehensive Care for Your Patient
At UPMC, we provide the full scope of heart disease management and treatment. From diagnosis and disease management through the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, to expert transplant care at the Heart Transplant Program, to innovative research and education, we are all one cohesive team.
Our team also includes you – the referring physician. We will work with you and your team to ensure a seamless referral process and will collaborate with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that best fits the unique needs of your patient.
When you refer a patient to UPMC, our team will support them at every stage in the transplant journey. If your patient is travelling for care, we offer travel assistance and affordable long-term housing to patients, families, and their caregivers. Our goal is to ensure that each patient receives world-class care that extends beyond the operating room.
Learn more about overnight accommodations we offer.
Conditions We Treat
At UPMC, we evaluate every patient referred to us to determine the best treatment option for them. We accept traditional and complex, high-risk cases. Our team will evaluate patients with the following conditions or risk factors:
- Intolerance to guideline directed medical therapy due to hypotension requiring deescalating doses or medication discontinuation
- Two or more admissions for heart failure within the last six months
- Progressive heart failure symptoms despite guideline directed medical therapy
- Patients who do not respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CTR) - persistent heart failure symptoms six months post CRT device implant
- Worsening kidney function or hyponatremia
- Worsening liver function and/or hepatic congestion
- Worsening pulmonary hypertension by TTE
- Worsening right ventricular function
When to Refer a Patient
To best implement this model of care, we need to start working with you and your patients early in their disease progression. Delaying the evaluation process can:
- Allow more time for your patient’s disease to progress
- Cause further decline in their overall health
- Decrease their chances of being a suitable candidate for heart transplantation
Referring a patient early means that we have more time to work with you to discuss the patient’s needs and medical history, and determine the optimal care.
To refer a patient to UPMC:
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