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UK guidelines for referral and assessment of adults for heart transplantation

Lookup NU author(s): Stephen Clark

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Abstract

Patients with advanced heart failure have a dismal prognosis and poor quality of life. Heart transplantation provides an effective treatment for a subset of these patients. This article provides cardiologists with up-to-date information about referral for transplantation, the role of left ventricular assist devices prior to transplant, patient selection, waiting-list management and donor heart availability. Timing is of central importance; patients should be referred before complications (eg, cardiorenal syndrome or secondary pulmonary hypertension) have developed that will increase the risk of, or potentially contraindicate, transplantation. Issues related to heart failure aetiology, comorbidity and adherence to medical treatment are reviewed. Finally, the positive role that cardiologists can play in promoting and facilitating organ donation is discussed.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Banner NR, Bonser RS, Clark AL, Clark S, Cowburn PJ, Gardner RS, Kalra PR, McDonagh T, Rogers CA, Swan L, Parameshwar J, Thomas HL, Williams SG

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Heart

Year: 2011

Volume: 97

Issue: 18

Pages: 1520-1527

Print publication date: 16/06/2011

ISSN (print): 1355-6037

ISSN (electronic): 1468-201X

Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2011-300048

DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2011-300048

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