People with end-stage heart failure who haven't been successfully treated with other options may be candidates for heart transplant. Heart failure may be caused by many conditions.

People with many heart conditions may be eligible for a heart transplant, including:

• Coronary artery disease
• Weakened heart muscle due to other heart conditions (cardiomyopathy)
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Some types of congenital heart disease
• Heart valve disease
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome in children
• Amyloidosis
• Ventricular arrhythmias

Doctors will determine whether a heart transplant may be safe and beneficial for you. Your treatment team will also evaluate you to determine whether a heart transplant or an alternative therapy may be the most appropriate treatment option for your condition. Children and adults may be candidates for a heart transplant at Mayo Clinic.

To evaluate whether you're a candidate for a heart transplant, doctors will:

• Perform a physical examination
• Conduct blood tests
• Conduct cardiac catheterization and other tests
• Conduct tests to check your heart and lung pressure and function
• Perform tests to ensure you don't have any other serious medical conditions, including infections, cancer, severe pulmonary disease and others
• Conduct tests and ask questions to ensure you're not using recreational drugs, alcohol or tobacco
• Order a psychological evaluation

If your doctors and transplant team determine you're a candidate for a heart transplant, your treatment team will explain benefits and risks of a transplant. Your transplant coordinator and other members of your treatment team will explain to you what to expect before, during and after your transplant.

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July 11, 2013