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Updated: May 4, 2026

Semi-automated Optical Heartbeat Analysis of Small Hearts
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Semi-automated Optical Heartbeat Analysis of Small Hearts

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OPTN/SRTR 2012 Annual Data Report: heart

M Colvin-Adams1, J M Smithy, B M Heubner

  • 1Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, Minneapolis, MN; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.

American Journal of Transplantation : Official Journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons
|December 31, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Heart transplant numbers are rising, but waiting list rates have declined. Despite longer waits and more pre-transplant life support, wait-list mortality hasn't increased, and pediatric graft survival improves.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Transplantation Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The number of heart transplants is increasing, with a 25% rise in adult candidates on waiting lists between 2004 and 2012.
  • The heart transplant rate per wait-list year has declined since peaking in 2007.
  • There's an increasing proportion of patients requiring life support before heart transplantation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends in heart transplantation, including waiting list dynamics, patient acuity, and outcomes.
  • To examine pediatric heart transplant trends and graft survival rates.
  • To assess the cost-effectiveness of heart transplantation compared to ventricular assist devices.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of national heart transplant waiting list data.
  • Review of transplant procedure statistics and graft survival rates.
  • Comparison of heart transplant costs and effectiveness against ventricular assist devices.

Main Results:

  • Adult waiting list candidates increased by 25% (2004-2012), but the transplant rate per 100 wait-list years decreased from 149 (2007) to 93 (2012).
  • The percentage of patients on life support pre-transplant rose from 48.6% to 62.7% (2007-2012), with less distinct medical urgency categories.
  • Pediatric transplants increased (1998-2012), and 5-year graft survival for 2007 transplants was 78.5%.
  • Heart transplant is more expensive than ventricular assist devices but more effective and likely cost-effective for end-stage heart failure.

Conclusions:

  • Despite increased waiting times and pre-transplant acuity, wait-list mortality has not risen, and pediatric graft survival is improving.
  • Heart transplantation remains a more effective and likely cost-effective treatment for end-stage heart failure compared to ventricular assist devices.
  • Trends indicate a growing need for heart transplants, with evolving patient profiles and improving outcomes.

Keywords:
End-stage heart failureheart transplanttransplant outcomesventricular assist device

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