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Cardiothoracic Transplantation Program

The Cardiothoracic Transplantation Program was started in 1979 and is part of University Medical Center, a 423-bed acute care center located at The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in Tucson, Arizona. Each year the cardiothoracic program performs more than 2,500 procedures.

The program performs orthotopic and heterotopic cardiac transplantations, single and double lung transplantations and heart/lung transplantations. Bridge-to-transplant is offered with Thoratec, Heartmate, Berlin Heart, MEDOS Ventricular Assist Device, and Novacor LVAS, as well as CardioWest total artificial hearts.

Candidates

Heart Transplant: Patients with Class IV end-stage cardiac disease where the prognosis for survival is less than 12 months. Age is a flexible criterion. Patients over age 65 are scrutinized closely.

Heart/Lung Transplant: Patients with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension, Eisenmenger's Syndrome. Age is a flexible criterion. Patients over age 45 are scrutinized closely for evidence of disease in any other major organ systems.

Lung Transplant: Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency or emphysema. Patients over 65 years old are considered on an individual basis.

— See Lung Transplant UMC cystic fibrosis patient Jesse Kolb:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQMPe3C1x4U
(My Double Lung Transplant Story)

Jesse participated in the Rose Bowl parade to promote organ donation, Dec 20, on KVOA-TV
http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=7527374&nav=menu216_9
Transplant survivor represented Arizona in Rose Bowl Parade

Double Lung Transplant: Patients with cystic fibrosis, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Primary Pulmonary Hypertension without severe right heart failure. Age is a flexible criterion. Patients over age 65 will be scrutinized closely for evidence of disease in other major organ systems and for the ability to tolerate the procedure and the postoperative immunosuppressive therapy.

Patient Referral

Patients are evaluated by the Cardiothoracic Transplant Team after self-referral or physician referral. To make a referral or if you would like additional information, call (800) 524-5927. In Tucson, call (520) 626-6339.

A satellite office is conveniently located in Phoenix as an alternative to our Tucson location, for your evaluation and follow-up care. Please call (800) 524-4779, or, in Phoenix, call (602) 257-4267 for an appointment.

During hospitalization, your transplant coordinator will maintain communication with your referring physician. Regular communication promotes your smooth transition of care.

Transplant Team

Your Cardiothoracic Transplant Team would include a cardiothoracic surgeon and fellow, a cardiologist, a transplant coordinator, a pulmonologist, a physician assistant and a transplant social worker. See UMC's 25th Annual Heart and Lung Transplant Picnic.

Percent Actuarial Patient Care Survival at UMC Support Service

Services to support patients are comprehensive and include social services, support groups, nutrition, pharmacy, physical therapy, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, patient relations, psychiatry and financial affairs.

Assistance with temporary and extended lodging is available. Special rates are arranged with hotels and apartment communities for transplant patients and their families. For more information on lodging as it relates to your follow-up care, please call (520) 694-7666.

Patient Care

One-on-one nursing care is provided 24-hours aday by registered nurses who have completed special training in cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery and critical care. UMC has earned the status of a Magnet Hospital for excellence in nursing care.

Insurance

The Heart & Lung Transplantation Program has been designated a Medicare Center of Excellence since October 1986. For information about insurance coverage, please call (520) 694-6433.

Accomplishments

  • Established in 1979 as one of the first six heart transplant centers in the U.S.
  • One of the highest survival rates for heart transplantation at one year among programs performing 30 or more procedures per year.
  • Medical director is founding member and former president of the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation.
  • World’s first successful bridge-to-transplant using a total artificial heart (Jarvik 7).
  • World’s first coronary artery bypass surgery performed on a transplant patient.
  • First medical center in U.S. to implant Berlin Heart, a child-sized device that serves as a bridge-to-transplant.
  • In 2003, a 15-year old UMC patient became the youngest person in the world to get a total artificial heart (CardioWest). This patient received a heart transplant three months later.
  • Home of the first FDA-approved artificial organ, the artificial heart.
  • The 800th heart transplant was performed in June 2007.

Cardiothoracic Transplantation Program
1501 N. Campbell Ave.
P.O. Box 245071
Tucson, AZ 85724-5071
(520) 626-6339 or (800) 524-5927
Fax (520) 694-2692

Phoenix Transplant Medical Office
926 E. McDowell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 257-4267 or (800) 524-4779
Fax (602) 257-4305

For Physicians Only:
Physicians’ Resource Service
(800) 777-7552 or
(520) 694-5868 (in Tucson)
Fax: (520) 694-2229
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