HEART
A unique and innovative feature of our program is the Heart / Lung Transplant Intensive Care Unit ( HLTICU ). This state-of-the-art , 23-bed unit is staffed by a skilled team dedicated to caring for heart transplant patients in the crucial first hours after surgery . Before patients move to the HLTICU , they are cared for in our Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit , which in 2021 earned a Silver Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses .
ORGANS – HEART
UAB has maintained an active cardiac transplantation program since 1980 , and we have performed over 1,150 heart , heart / lung , and heart / kidney transplants since that time . Our diverse team of specialists is equally committed to treating heart failure through optimizing medical management and expanding the role of mechanical circulatory support devices ( MCSDs ), either as a bridge to transplant or as destination therapy . When a transplant is needed , our outcomes are excellent ; UAB ’ s one-year and three-year patient and graft survival rates are better than the expected rates and U . S . averages .
Our program also includes a highly active ventricular assist device ( VAD ) program , which has implanted some 720 devices since 2000 , both as destination therapy and as a bridge to transplant for patients with refractory end-stage heart disease . The Comprehensive Transplant Institute ( CTI ) is actively studying cardiac xenotransplantation , which is a promising approach to the treatment of end-stage heart failure and may provide a solution to the shortage of donor hearts . Research in this area is in the early stages and not yet ready for clinical trials .
EXCELLENCE IN THREE-YEAR PATIENT AND GRAFT SURVIVAL ( 2021 )
Our cardiologists and heart surgeons are supported by an experienced team of transplant specialists , including nurses , dietitians , coordinators , mental health professionals , and social workers devoted to exceptional , comprehensive care . During each phase of the transplant process , patients have access to timely educational materials and learning sessions – including classes and supportive face-to-face discussions – all of which is designed to ease patient concerns and promote more successful outcomes . uabmedicine . org / refertransplant 31