Getting Started: Patient Evaluation

If your cardiologist has determined that you may benefit from a heart transplant he or she will initiate a transplant evaluation. The evaluation process consists of a variety of tests and procedures which may include:

• echocardiogram
• exercise (VO2) test
• right heart catheterization
• coronary angiogram
• blood and urine tests
• chest X-ray
• pulmonary function test
• colonoscopy

• carotid and peripheral
  doppler studies
• mammogram
• dental exam
• eye exam
• electrocardiogram (EKG)
• psychosocial evaluation

The exact tests and procedures needed to complete the evaluation process will be determined by your cardiologist.

After all tests have been completed for your evaluation, your pre-transplant cardiologist will present your case to the heart transplant selection committee. The committee meets weekly and is comprised of surgeons, cardiologists, transplant nurses and social workers who will discuss your case and make recommendations for the best treatment for you.  Your treatment recommendations could be:

• Continued medication therapy: for instances in which a patient is too well for the heart transplant waitlist.
• Ventricular assist device: for patients who may benefit from VAD therapy while awaiting a heart transplant or who are not good candidates for heart transplantation
• Heart transplant: for patients in dire need of a transplant.