Heart transplant procedures can be used to treat a number of conditions that inhibit the heart’s ability to properly circulate blood throughout the body. A heart transplant procedure is typically used after other treatments have been exhausted without improvement in a patient’s condition. Tampa General Hospital performed its first heart transplant in 1985, and since that time TGH’s Heart Transplant Program has become one of the leading programs in Florida. Other highlights of our heart transplant program can be seen in the data published by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR).
According to this national database:
- TGH has historically performed more heart transplant procedures per year than initially predicted by SRTR. This success has been due in large part to our relationship with the nationally recognized organ procurement organization LifeLink Foundation, Inc.
- Tampa General’s median time to transplant has been less than half of the national average.
- Our one- and three-year patient survival rates are traditionally better than the national averages.
At Tampa General, we are equipped to accept into our heart transplant program patients who have particularly challenging cases that other hospitals might have to turn away. We have the resources and highly experienced, interdisciplinary staff necessary to perform heart transplant procedures under more difficult conditions. Plus, we are a leader in the implantation of ventricular assist devices (VADs) and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices as bridges to transplant, bridges to recovery, and destination therapies. Contact Tampa General Hospital to receive more information about our heart transplant program and to learn about the heart transplant evaluation process and criteria patients must meet to be placed on the transplant wait list.
Call 1-800-505-7769 (press 1 for the heart transplant program and ask for the referral coordinator), or call the referral coordinator directly at (813) 844-4088.