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Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide, and falls second only to pancreatic cancer as the pathology causing the shortest life expectancy. It plagues millions of people every year, and its frequency is only expected to continue rising. In the most advanced phase of heart failure, heart transplantation (HT) is the only means of improving the quality of life and survival. Unfortunately, not all patients who need a heart transplant meet criteria for receiving one. This activity describes the indications and contraindications for heart transplants and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in the management of heart failure patients. Objectives: Identify the indications for a heart transplant. Describe the contraindications for a heart transplant. Review the complications of a heart transplant. Explain the importance of improving care coordination among the interprofessional team to enhance the delivery of care for patients needing a heart transplant. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. It is only second to pancreatic cancer with the shortest life expectancy. It plagues millions of people every year. Currently, over 5 million people have an HF diagnosis, and that number is only expected to rise in the future. Advanced heart failure or stage D disease affects >10% of the heart failure population.[1] In the most advanced phase of heart failure, heart transplantation (HT) is the only means of improving the quality of life and survival in these patients. Unfortunately, not all patients who need a heart transplant meet criteria to receive a heart transplant. This chapter will cover in detail patient selection for a heart transplant including indications, contraindications, medical professionals required to assess patient selection, preparation, and clinical significance.

An interprofessional team that provides a patient-centered, integrated approach to evaluate patient's for a heart transplant is essential to achieve the best possible outcomes. Furthermore, several studies have shown that the outcome of heart transplantation depends on several other factors outside of meeting clinical criteria such as demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral factors. It is imperative to have an interprofessional team including a cardiologist, thoracic surgeon, anesthetist, clinical psychologist and psychiatrist, pharmacists, and specialty trained nurses.[11] [level 1] In particular, the nurses should assist the team with patient selection, education and monitoring; the clinicians should provide direct care and evaluation for the procedure; the pharmacist should assist in avoiding dangerous drug-drug interactions that may affect the outcome of the procedure; and the behavioralist should assist with helping the patient and family to cope with a challenging procedure fraut with potential complications and delays. [Level 5]