Heart and Lung Transplantation
The UC San Diego Heart Transplant Program began in 1989 under the direction of the internationally renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Stuart W. Jamieson, MB, FRCS.
In 1990, the UC San Diego Heart Transplant Program performed its first heart transplant and has since performed over 175 heart transplants, with excellent results.
The program’s philosophy is to focus on comprehensive and compassionate patient care tailored to the individual patient, with the involvement of a multi-disciplinary team of experts in the fields of advanced heart failure, cardiac surgery, cardiac transplantation, and alternatives to transplant such as long-term mechanical assistance or opportunities to participate in the latest research trials.
Why would someone need a heart transplant?
A heart transplant is a treatment option for irreversible, life-threatening heart diseases that cannot be managed by other medical or surgical methods. These conditions may include:
- Cardiomyopathy
- Severe coronary artery disease
- Congenital heart defects
- Defects in heart valves leading to severe congestive heart failure
Our focus is to improve the quality and longevity of our patients' lives. Our patient outcomes at meet or exceed national standards of excellence.
Does UC San Diego also do lung and heart-lung transplants?
We work closely with our sister programs, the lung and heart-lung transplantation program which was established at UC San Diego in 1989 and performs single lung, double lung and combination heart-lung transplantation with outstanding success.
An international leader in lung transplantation, the UC San Diego Heart and Lung Transplantation Program is one of the busiest lung transplant programs on the West Coast. Since 1989, more than 270 lung transplants and 20 heart-lung transplants have been performed with excellent results.
How can I get more information?
We welcome any inquires about our program, as well as new referrals and self-referrals. Our program works closely with your current physicians to provide continuity of care and a team approach.
For more information, please call our toll-free number, (866) 224-3278 (CA-HEART) or e-mail ucsdhearttrans@ucsd.edu.