The heart must be donated by someone who is brain-dead but is still on life support. ... Your diseased heart is removed and the donor heart is stitched in place. The heart-lung machine is then disconnected. Blood flows through the transplanted heart, which takes over supplying your body with blood and oxygen. read more
How long you live after a heart transplant depends on many factors, including age, general health, and response to the transplant. Recent figures show that 80% of heart transplant patients live at least two years after surgery. The 10-year survival rate is about 56%. read more
In 1988, the first "domino" heart transplant was performed, in which a patient in need of a lung transplant with a healthy heart will receive a heart-lung transplant, and their original heart will be transplanted into someone else. read more
Before you can be put on a waiting list for a heart transplant, a healthcare provider makes the decision that this is the best treatment choice for your heart failure. A healthcare team also makes sure you are otherwise healthy enough to go through the transplant process. read more