[Qualification of patients for heart transplantation in light of current views and personal observations]

Development of new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques along with increasing experience brought a great progress in heart transplantation over last 30 years. Changes occurred not only in the management of posttransplant patients but also in the subject of recipient selection, management and quantification. As there is insufficient number of potential donors to make heart transplantation in all candidates the problem of proper selection is very important. We discussed current approach to the potential candidates for heart transplantation: methods of patient quantification, indications and contraindications to transplantation, recipient selection criteria. Management of the potential recipients, who are on the waiting list is also discussed. Better knowledge, careful recipient selection and management bring significant improvement in posttransplant prognosis.