Heart transplantation contraindications
Editor(s)-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D.; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [1]
Contraindications
Underlying myocardial disease
Underlying etiologies of myocardial disease which are contraindications are:
Co-morbid or associated conditions
Some patients are less suitable for a heart transplant, especially if they suffer from other circulatory conditions unrelated to the heart. The following conditions in a patient would increase the chances of complications occurring during or after the operation:
- Kidney, lung, or liver disease
- Insulin-dependent diabetes with other organ dysfunction
- Life-threatening diseases unrelated to heart failure such as cancer that would severely limit life expectancy
- Vascular disease of the neck and leg arteries.
- An ongoing acute infection
- A recurrent pulmonary infection
- Alcohol, tobacco or drug abuse
- Severe lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Morbid obesity
- ABO incompatibility