Heart Transplants
Why Choose University of Colorado Hospital for Your Heart Transplant?
The University of Colorado Hospital Heart Transplant Program began in 1986. Heart transplant patients at University of Colorado Hospital receive the benefit of a team approach that meets medical, surgical, psychological, spiritual, nutritional and financial needs. We are Medicare approved and considered a Center of Excellence by many insurance carriers.
Call (720) 848-0850 for appointment information.
Beth's heart transplant story
Beth's congenital heart defects required diligent monitoring, but caused her little trouble – until an echocardiogram revealed a heart valve that had deteriorated to the point she needed valve replacement surgery.
Her initial surgery ran into serious complications. Beth was rushed to University of Colorado Hospital, where cardiac surgeons implanted ventricular assist devices (VADs) to keep her blood circulating.
Beth was placed on the wait list for a new heart. Over five months later, Beth and her husband Mike got the call from UCH that they'd been praying for: "Beth, we have a heart for you."
Watch Beth's Story on YouTube
A long history of excellence
Our faculty has extensive experience in heart transplant and continually conducts research aimed at improving outcomes.
In the years ahead, we expect the University of Colorado Hospital Heart Transplant Program to be one of the premier heart transplant centers in the nation.
- Our team has performed more than 340 heart transplants in adults and children since 1988.
- Both the one-year and three-year patient survival rate after transplantation is above 90 percent.
- The average hospital stay (from date of transplant to discharge) for a heart transplant is 14 days.
- We are currently studying the effects of new drugs that reduce rejection rates.
- We are conducting research aimed at making better use of donor hearts.
- University of Colorado Hospital has an entire floor dedicated to transplant patients. All patients receive medical care by a team of experts who are specifically trained to address transplant patients’ special needs.
What is a Heart Transplant?
A heart transplant is only an option for someone with congestive heart failure that has not responded to medical treatment. The transplant uses the heart of a brain-dead person that is determined to be a good match for the transplant recipient.