Heart Transplant Surgery: Preparation and Procedure

A heart transplant is a surgical procedure in which a diseased, failing heart is replaced with a healthier donor heart. The process is seen as a last option for treating heart conditions and is mainly recommended by doctors when other treatments such as medications or other surgeries haven’t been fruitful.

To remove the heart from the donor, at least two or more medicinal services suppliers must declare the donor brain-dead. Heart failure is a condition where the heart is not working as efficiently as it usually should. Living body needs blood to perform all the necessary functions. When the blood flow becomes insufficient, due to the heart being unable to pump blood sufficiently, then disruption occurs; this makes heart weak.      


The human heart has four valves, two on the right and two on the left. The aortic valve-the principle surge valve for the left heart-is the valve between the heart and the body. Heart failure can affect any side of heart, or it can affect both sides of your heart at the same time.

Eligibility for a Heart Transplantation Surgery:

Not every individual who needs a heart transplant is eligible for a heart transplant procedure because in some cases, it can be dangerous.

Several factors determine your eligibility, and your doctor will ensure your eligibility before you are recommended to get a heart transplant procedure.

Following are some of the factors that affect your eligibility for a heart transplant:

  • ·When you have an active infection then your doctor will not recommend it as it can cause more complications. 
  •  If you are not able / ready to take precautionary measures to ensure you keep your new heart healthy, your doctor won’t recommend the heart transplant procedure.
  •  If your doctor decides that recovery from a heart transplant surgery will be difficult for you then he may not recommend the procedure.
  • If your family has history of cancer, then you might not be a good candidate for a heart transplant procedure.
  • When you are suffering from another life threatening health issue that can potentially cut your life short, even after receiving a healthy heart, then your doctor won’t recommend a heart transplant.

The eligibility criteria for getting a heart transplant, will be determined by your doctor based on your age, current health and lifestyle (among other factors).

Additionally, he was the Surgical Director of Cardiac Ablation at Sutter Medical Center Sacramento which led to the Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute being the second center in the nation certified as an Atrial Fibrillation Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers.

We are ideally situated in East Bay CA to treat advanced heart failure patients. Our highly individualized methodology will ensure that all patients will be given cautious consideration. Patients can expect to receive a thorough counseling on transplant evaluation and on the nature of heart transplantation

Longoria Cardiovascular, HeartTransplantation Surgery center East Bay CA has a large multidisciplinary team including cardiothoracic surgeons, advanced heart failure cardiologists, transplant coordinators, advanced practitioners, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, dietitians, transplant administrators and financial coordinators. Our professionals work together to ensure the best plan of care for each patient.

If you have a heart failure patient that needs to be search an advanced heart failure cardiologist now, please refer them to the Dr. James Longoria Cardiovascular Clinic East Bay CA .

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