Heart transplant evaluation usually takes 30 to 90 days. If you’re critically ill and hospitalized, we can do the process in five to seven days.
The steps of the evaluation process include:
Referral
Evaluation begins with a referral from your heart failure specialist. If your current doctor isn’t in our health system, you’ll see a specialist from the Penn Medicine Heart Failure program who sends us a referral.
Education
We make sure you understand what transplant is and what to expect after surgery. Only then can you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
You’ll attend a general information session and each specialist you meet with shares important information about the heart transplant process. Our team members are always available to answer your questions.
Medical tests
During your evaluation you meet with a medical team of nurse practitioners, heart failure and transplant physicians, and transplant surgeons. Together they take a careful look at your health and condition and decide if a transplant is a good option for you.
As part of this process, you receive a range of laboratory and medical imaging tests. For your convenience, we aim to complete all your testing in two days.
Meetings with specialists
A heart transplant affects all aspects of your life, so the evaluation process aims to ensure you have the support you need. In addition to medical providers, you’ll also meet with:
- Financial coordinator: reviews your insurance and finances and makes sure you understand the financial responsibilities and impacts of transplant
- Nutritionist: discusses the role nutrition plays in heart health
- Pharmacist: explains the medications you’ll take after transplant
- Social worker: assesses your background, social support system, substance use, and mental health history to make sure you’re set up for success through your recovery
Results of the evaluation process
When all testing is done and you’ve met with every member of our team, we meet to review your results and discuss your options. We make one of three determinations:
- Approval: You can move forward to the heart transplant waiting list.
- Denial: You aren’t eligible for a heart transplant.
- Not eligible at this time: You may need to complete additional testing or address concerns that may make a heart transplant unsuccessful.
If you aren’t eligible, we help you understand your options and assist with your next steps.