 | 99,200 people are waiting for the gift of life. Get the facts at organdonor.gov. Download a donor card here. |
Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital is the world leader in the number of cardiovascular surgical procedures performed, with more than 100,000 open-heart procedures, including more than 1,000 heart transplantations since 1982.
The accomplishments and reputation of Texas Heart Institute and St. Luke's in cardiac transplantation are the result of a joint effort under the direction of Denton A. Cooley, MD, president and surgeon-in-chief, Texas Heart Institute, and O.H. Frazier, MD, director, Transplant Service.
Diagnosis
You will have a thorough evaluation of your medical condition so that the transplant team can assess the specific risks and benefits of cardiac transplantation for you. The various medical team members will gather data, give you specific information, and answer your questions. The results of this medical work-up will help the team in making decisions about your suitability as a candidate for transplantation.
To learn more about diagnostic procedures performed in the Heart Transplant Program, visit the Heart Transplant Diagnosis page.
Treatment
If you are accepted for transplantation, you will be placed on a national computer list of active candidates waiting for a donor. Actual recipients are chosen according to a complex set of criteria, including blood type, body and organ size, physical condition, medical priority, and length of time on the waiting list. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) coordinates the equitable sharing of organs throughout the United States and oversees all donor centers and procurement agencies.
To learn more about treatment options offered in the Heart Transplant Program, visit the Heart Transplant Treatment page.
Recovery and Support
During your stay at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, you will be cared for by many different people—members of your Transplant Team, as well as others. The first will be a transplant coordinator, a nurse who will answer questions and begin your pretransplant evaluation. The transplant coordinator will work with you and your family to keep you informed of procedures, medications, diet, exercise, and other important aspects of your treatment.
To learn more about recovery and support offered in the Program, visit the Heart Transplant Recovery and Support page.
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