Despite many advances in the medical therapy of heart failure, an increasing number of patients become refractory to medical therapy. In its most advanced stages, heart transplantation becomes the only means of improving quality of life and survival (Figure 11.1). However, transplantation is available only to a fraction of those who need it due to the chronic shortage of available donors, which totaled less than 2,300 in 2004 and has not changed over the last decade1 (Figure 11.2).
This chapter discusses the process of transplant candidate selection, including indications and contraindications to transplantation, listing policies of the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), and medical and surgical management of patients awaiting transplantation.
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© 2008 Springer-Verlag London Limited
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Lietz, K., Miller, L.W. (2008). Evaluation for Ventricular Assist Devices and Cardiac Transplantation. In: Baliga, R.R., Pitt, B., Givertz, M.M. (eds) Management of Heart Failure. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84800-102-2_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84800-102-2_11
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-84800-101-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-84800-102-2
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