heart transplant eligibility criteria

Heart transplant eligibility requires that a person has severe, irreversible heart failure unresponsive to other treatments, significantly impairing quality of life. Candidates must be physically able to undergo surgery and follow post-transplant care. They undergo evaluations to assess overall health, absence of active infections or cancers, and psychological stability. Additional factors include age (usually under 70), adequate support systems, and no contraindicating medical conditions. The goal is to ensure the benefits outweigh risks and that the patient can adhere to lifelong immunosuppressive medications to prevent organ rejection.