Heart transplant eligibility and evaluation

A careful heart transplant evaluation is a critical first step in the transplant journey. We guide you through the process while making sure a heart transplant is right for you.

Doctor holding an animated heart

Beginning the heart transplant journey together

Careful evaluation of potential heart transplant candidates is essential for successful results. At Penn Medicine’s heart transplant program, we have experience with over 1,500 heart transplants since 1987. We know how to decide if a heart transplant is the right next step for you—even if you’ve been turned away by another program or are a candidate for a dual-organ transplant.

We understand that starting this process can be stressful. We’re here throughout your evaluation to answer your questions and offer support.

Heart transplant criteria

We evaluate you individually to determine if you meet the heart transplant candidate requirements. It’s essential that you follow through with the required testing and attend all your appointments.

Even if you think you may not qualify, we encourage you to apply. We look at each person’s case and may be able to work with you and your health-care providers to help you become eligible.

Heart transplant criteria we use to determine eligibility include:

Heart transplant evaluation process

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.

Schedule an appointment

We can help you schedule an appointment or you can search our directory of specialists.