Heart Transplant
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You've been told you need a heart transplant. You're wondering about your future. You're nervous about surgery. But you're not alone. At UVA Health, we can answer your questions about what a heart transplant means for you. We have the experts, latest technology, and experience to support you every step of the way.
Why Choose UVA Health for Heart Transplant?
At UVA Health, we’ve been a leader in heart transplant for decades. We've performed more than 700 heart transplants since 1989. We've received many awards from the American Heart Association for our heart failure care. And Becker’s Hospital Review named UVA Health’s Heart & Vascular Center to its list of 100 hospitals and health systems with great heart programs.
See other awards and recognition for our heart care.
Before Your Heart Transplant
The first step in preparing for heart transplant is a "transplant evaluation." We'll meet with you to see if a heart transplant is the best choice for your condition. We guide you through every test and appointment to make sure you're ready.
See what to expect before you get a heart transplant at UVA Health.
While You Wait for a New Heart
Finding a matching donor heart takes time. While you're on the waiting list, our goal is to keep you as strong as possible using:
- Medications
- Heart-assist devices (like LVADs) to help your heart pump
- Close watching by our transplant coordinators and providers
Financial and Emotional Support
We also offer financial counseling and support groups to help you and your family manage the stress of waiting.
Find Needed Support
Our monthly Heart and Lung Transplant Support Group meets the fourth Thursday of every month, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Meetings are open to patients, family members, and friends.
The Heart Transplant Procedure
A heart transplant is a carefully timed surgery. Once a donor heart becomes available, our team moves quickly to get the heart and prepare you for the transplant surgery. During the surgery:
- We remove your diseased heart.
- The healthy donor heart is placed in your chest.
- We carefully connect your blood vessels to the new heart to start the flow of blood.
Your Hospital Stay & Recovery
The hospital stay for a heart transplant is usually about 2 weeks after surgery. During this time, we'll focus on:
- Healing: We watch you closely to make sure your new heart is working perfectly.
- Learning: We teach you and your family how to care for your new heart at home.
Preventing Rejection
Your body’s natural instinct is to protect itself from "foreign" objects. We'll start you on special medicines called antirejection drugs. These medicines tell your immune system to accept and protect your new heart.
See what to expect after a heart transplant.
Destination VADs
UVA Health is a Center for Destination VADs (ventricular assist devices). These devices help pump blood.
At other hospitals, you can only get a VAD if you're waiting for a transplant. Here, we can also offer VADs if you don't necessarily need a transplant. VADs can extend your life if your age or other health conditions prevent you from getting a heart transplant.