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Penn Transplant Institute

Heart

• About Our Program
• About Our Team
• Heart Transplant Process
  • Transplant Evaluation
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Heart Transplant Evaluation

The first step in considering patients for a heart transplant is an evaluation of their general health and the severity of their heart disease. The evaluation period is a time of learning for patients and their families. The transplant team collects and discusses patient evaluation information. The team then determines if the patient's condition is severe enough for a heart transplant, and if transplant is a valid option.

Typically, the evaluation includes two days of outpatient testing and interviews. Patients who are very sick may be evaluated while they are in the hospital. The evaluation includes assessments of both the cardiovascular system and the body as a whole.

Heart

• Chest X-ray and/or CT scan – A picture of the heart and lungs.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) – A study of the electrical activity of the heart taken through patches applied to the skin.
• Echocardiogram - An ultrasound of the heart that reveals size and heart muscle function, as well as the valve function.
• Exercise stress test – A measurement of how well the heart is supplying oxygen to the body. Patients walk on a treadmill while their heart and oxygen levels are monitored.
• Right heart catheterization – A measurement of the pressure in the heart and lungs. A catheter for monitoring pressure is passed through a vein in the groin or neck and into the heart.

General Health

• Pulmonary function test (PFT) – Determines air volume in the lungs and identifies lung conditions that might be a problem after transplant.
• TB skin test – Identifies exposure to tuberculosis.
• Blood tests – Identifies blood type, tissue type, kidney and liver function, thyroid function, blood cell counts and blood chemistries. The blood is also checked for antibodies to such viruses as herpes simplex, varicella zoster, and hepatitis A, B and C. Toxoplasmosis and a test for syphilis are also performed.
• Cancer screening tests – Determines if cancer is present. May include a colonoscopy and/or prostate specific antigen (PSA) for men, and a mammogram and/or Pap smear for women.
• Urinalysis – Determines kidney function.
• Peripheral vascular/carotid artery studies – Determines blood flow to the brain and legs, and identifies any blockages in the blood vessels.
• Abdominal ultrasound – Checks for masses, cysts and aneurysms in the abdominal organs and blood vessels.
• General health information – Includes a history of immunizations, medical information and dental health.

During the evaluation, certain conditions may be identified that may prompt additional testing and consultations to further determine transplant candidacy. These concerns and appropriate treatments are discussed with patients and family members.

For more information, please view our patient guide.