Top Heart Transplant Program Outcomes in the Country — Care Worth Traveling For

Reported by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, UPMC is one of the top programs in the country for patient outcomes. In addition to achieving excellent outcomes, UPMC was the highest volume heart transplant center in Pennsylvania in 2023. UPMC’s rich legacy and dedication to patient care continue to define the program as a leader in the field of heart transplant.

If you have heart disease, trust the experts from one of the most recognized and experienced heart transplant centers in the country. Our experts take a collaborative approach to providing patients with advanced treatment options and support at every stage of their transplant journey. This includes diagnosis, pre-evaluation, transplant, and post-transplant care. It also includes getting you back to enjoying life with your family and loved ones.

Conditions We Treat

Our team at UPMC treats end-stage heart failure or severe coronary artery disease through heart transplant. Possible candidates for heart transplant may suffer from:

The UPMC Advanced Heart Failure Center is among the nation’s leading programs of its kind. It's the only full-service heart failure center in western Pennsylvania. It provides access to traditional therapy and minimally invasive procedures. It also provides evaluations for heart transplantation or ventricular-assisted devices.

The team of electrophysiologists at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute use the latest in cardiac electrophysiology. They do this to diagnose severe ventricular arrhythmias that they may later treat through transplantation. UPMC’s Cardiac Electrophysiology program is the only one in the region with subspecialty centers for evaluating and managing atrial arrhythmias. The program also does this for infected implanted pacemakers and other heart-rhythm devices.

The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute's Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center offers a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosing and treating cardiomyopathy. It does so with the convenience of all services at one location. The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA) has designated the UPMC HCM Center a center of excellence. It's the only one of its kind in western Pennsylvania.

The Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Center is a joint program of UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. It's the only one of its kind in the region. It also helps improve the quality of life for adults born with congenital heart disease. This approach offers many treatment options and care pathways. It provides access to the UPMC Heart Transplant team if necessary.

The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute's integrated team of cardiologists and other specialists work together to provide a full range of treatment options for coronary artery disease. This includes surgery and transplants. This team collaborates with the UPMC Advanced Cardiac Imaging Program. Together, they conduct state-of-the-art tests and procedures to provide unmatched views of the heart and arteries.

UPMC Center for Heart Valve Disease has a long history of participating in groundbreaking, historic research. This research centered around extending access to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) across different populations. These trials and research offer a full scope of treatment options for valvular disease. This includes minimally invasive and robotic techniques. It positions UPMC as a pioneer in heart and vascular health.

The UPMC Difference

People in need of a heart transplant are in expert hands at UPMC. From your first heart transplant consult through world-class treatment and post-transplant care, we're here for you every step of the way.

The UPMC Heart Transplant Program’s continued dedication to innovation has led to groundbreaking milestones throughout the years:

UPMC has performed more than 1,700 adult heart transplants.
Reported by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), UPMC is the national leader in 90-day survival rates following heart transplantation.
UPMC is one of the top programs in the nation for patient survival rates at 30 days and one-year post-transplant, according to data from the SRTR.
The heart transplant team takes on some of the most complex cases, including patients in need of a multi-organ transplant or requiring a bloodless transplant.
UPMC was the first medical center to discharge a patient with a ventricular assist device (VAD) in 1990. Since then, UPMC doctors have implanted over 1,300 VADs, improved existing VADs, and designed new ones to increase survival rates and enhance the lives of those waiting for a transplant.

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What to Expect

Starting the heart transplant journey can feel overwhelming. Our team offers step-by-step support to help you and your care partner throughout the process.

A lifesaving heart transplant begins with a thorough heart transplant evaluation. This is how you can see if a heart transplant is the best treatment option for you. Our team experts conduct it in Pittsburgh, and it takes approximately one week. It includes: