St. Luke's Heart Transplant Program
Referral phase |
Pre-transplant |
Transplant |
Discharge & follow-up |
Resuming activity |
FAQs
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How UNOS works
Physicians at Aurora St. Luke's have been performing heart transplants
since 1968, giving them the most experience in the Midwest.
Referral phase
Upon referral to the Heart Transplant Program at Aurora St. Luke's
Medical Center, a transplant coordinator will contact you to discuss the
heart transplant process. During the referral phase of a heart transplant,
the Transplant Clinic team will perform several diagnostic tests to help
determine if a heart transplant is the right treatment for you. The testing
insures that, other then your heart, you are in good physical health and can
undergo the heart transplant. The diagnostic tests may include:
Cardiac Catheterization
This test will determine the status of your heart's function and the
pressures in the pulmonary artery (the artery that connects the right side
of the heart to the lungs). If a cardiac catheterization is necessary, the
Transplant Clinic staff will provide you with more information on the
procedure.
Echocardiogram
This test will determine the status of your heart's function. It also looks
at how effective the muscle contracts, the size of the four chambers of the
heart and if the valves are working properly.
Exercise Oxygen Evaluation (MVO2)
A low-level stress test is performed to determine heart function during
exercise.
Antibody Screening
Blood samples are analyzed to determine if you have antibodies that might
make it difficult to match a donor.
Blood and Tissue Typing
Blood samples are tested to determine an individual's blood type and tissue
type, to match donors to recipients.
Infectious Disease Screening
Following transplant surgery, drugs used to prevent rejection of the heart
can increase the chances of infection. An infectious disease doctor will
interview you and order a number of tests to identify any current infections
and treat any active infections before surgery.
Kidney Function Tests
Since your kidneys play a vital role in recovery from surgery, it is
important to know if they can tolerate the stress of surgery and drug
therapy. Blood and urine samples will be used to detect any kidney problems.
Liver Function Tests
Blood samples are also analyzed to determine liver function.
Pulmonary Function Tests
These tests measure your lung function and determine whether any lung
disease is present.
Dental Evaluation
A dentist will check for any infection on the mouth and that your teeth are
in good repair to prevent future infection.
Bone Mineral Density
Following transplant surgery, drugs used to prevent rejection of the heart
can decrease the density of your bones, so a base line study is done.
The patient and family also participate in interviews and consultations
with other members of the transplant team to discuss all aspects of
transplantation and how it will affect their life.
After obtaining the needed information, a multi-disciplinary selection
committee meets to decide if transplantation is the best option. If the
committee determines that the candidate is qualified, the patient is
registered with the United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS), the national
computerized list that matches transplant recipients with available organs.
To learn more, click here or call
414-646-5410.
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