Heart Transplant

FAQ

What happens if my heart disease worsens while I wait for a donor heart?
Members of the transplant team evaluate candidates regularly and adjust medical treatment as necessary. Sometimes patients need hospitalization and intravenous drugs to support them during the waiting period. Occasionally, mechanical-assist devices are necessary.

How are donor hearts matched?
Donors and recipients are matched according to blood type and body size. If recipients have specific antibodies, a specific crossmatch is done between donor and recipient serum.

Does Mayo's heart transplant team perform multi-organ transplantation?
Yes. For specific diseases and qualified candidates, several organs may be transplanted at once. Mayo has experience in heart-lung, heart-liver, heart-kidney, and heart-lung-liver transplants.

What happens if rejection occurs after transplantation?
Most patients will have some mild rejection after transplantation. Because rejection typically occurs without symptoms, it is often diagnosed during a scheduled biopsy. In some cases, organ rejection may require adjustment of medications.