Heart transplant candidates: factors influencing waiting list mortality

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Transplantation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiac transplantation is a vital treatment for end-stage heart disease.
• A significant disparity exists between the number of patients needing heart transplants and the availability of suitable donor organs.
• The Irish Heart & Lung Transplant programme faces challenges in meeting the demand for cardiac transplants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the characteristics of new cardiac transplant candidates.
• To assess the outcomes of patients referred for cardiac transplantation over a one-year period.
• To evaluate the organ donor supply in relation to demand within the Irish system.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 44 patients referred for cardiac transplantation assessment.
• Analysis of patient demographics, listing status, transplant outcomes, and waiting list mortality.
• Comparison of organ donation rates and demand in Ireland.

Main Results:

• 54.5% of referred patients (24/44) were listed for cardiac transplantation.
• Six patients died while awaiting transplantation, with a six-month waiting list survival rate of 74%.
• Seven patients received transplants, and eleven remain on the active waiting list.

Conclusions:

• The demand for suitable heart donors exceeds the supply in Ireland, despite historically high donation rates.
• Strategies to promote and facilitate organ donation are needed to shorten cardiac transplant waiting times.
• Addressing the organ donor shortage is critical for improving patient survival in end-stage heart disease.