Prognosis of medically treated patients referred for cardiac transplantation

Objectives: To assess prognosis and factors influencing survival of transplant candidates in whom continued medial therapy was recommended in comparison to that of immediately listed patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical, echocardiographic and hemodynamic data as related to survival or listing for transplantation of medically treated transplant candidates. Patients: 160 patients considered `too well' for cardiac transplantation and 133 patients immediately listed for transplantation. Results: Forty-one of the medically treated patients deteriorated clinically and were listed after 10.7±12.3 months after initial evaluation. Mid-term prognosis (2 years) of patients never listed was comparable to that of immediately listed patients (74% vs. 70%) but long-term prognosis (5 years) was worse (41% vs. 54%, p