[Treatment of terminal heart failure]

Heart transplantation is one treatment for terminal heart failure. To assure a good result it is important to give optimal treatment while waiting for a suitable donor organ. We review the treatment received by patients on the waiting list for heart transplantation at our hospital from 1983 to 1994. On the basis of our experience from 183 patients, we discuss the routine and intensive care of severe heart failure, as well as the practice of anticoagulation and antiarrhythmic treatment.