Who is suitable for Heart Transplant?
Patients who are have end-stage heart failure and have been diagnosed with less than a year to live who are also below the age of 65 are suitable for Heart Transplants. People between the ages of 65-72 can also be suitable for Heart Transplant if their physical conditions allow heart transplant.
Patients who do not have end-stage heart failure but are not responsive to medication or rhythm regulating treatments are also candidates for the Heart Transplant Treatment.
Additionally, it is important that the heart transplant candidates are fully compatible with treatment, are not addicted to drugs/substances and have strong family or social life support.
Medical, psychological and social features of the transplant candidates are comprehensively evaluated by heart transplant specialists, they are prepared for the Heart Transplant programme and then a treatment plan is applied.
Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) and Total Artificial Heart (TAH)
For patients with end-stage heart failure, the pumping function of the heart is done through an advanced technology artificial heart device.
A Ventricular Assist Device can remain from a few days to a couple of weeks in cases of acute cardiac insufficiency due to viral infections in patients or reanimation after the heart stops, or even years if necessary.
Patients who are Suitable for a Ventricular Assist Device
Patients who have or have recently been diagnosed with end-stage heart failure are suitable for Ventricular Assist Devices.
While Ventricular Assist Devices are used to prevent possible problems with other organ functions, they can be also be used to keep patients alive in cases where cardiac insufficiency develops due to heart muscle infection.
Ventricular Assist Devices can also be used for patients on the heart transplant waiting list as a protective measure. Ventricular Assist Devices are used to increase the patient’s life quality and duration in cases where the patient has an advanced age and has cardiac insufficiency accompanied by other severe illnesses and is not suitable for heart transplants.
Total Artificial Heart
The diseased heart is replaced with a Total Artificial Heart in cases where the blood circulation around the body cannot be achieved even with Ventricular Assist Devices. This procedure is performed by completely removing the diseased heart from the body and replacing it with an artificial heart device.
Turkish Cypriot citizens with End-Stage Heart Failure do not have the possibility of having a heart transplant, even in Turkey; however, Near East University Hospital Yeniboğaziçi Heart Transplant Centre is now offering this service.
Operating at global standards, Near East University Hospital Yeniboğaziçi Heart Transplant Centre adheres to al laws regulating human cell, tissue and organ transplants. Heart transplants for patients with end-stage heart failure can have heart transplant surgeries given that a compatible donor can be found.
Providing high-quality health services in accordance with world standards through a multidisciplinary approach since its foundation on 20th July 2010, Near East University Hospital Yeniboğaziçi carries out transplant procedures in accordance with TRNC Organ Transplant laws.
Near East University Hospital Yeniboğaziçi is the first and only hospital to be certified for Heart Transplants in the TRNC. As one of the foremost centres for Heart Transplant referrals in the TRNC, Near East University Hospital Yeniboğaziçi has a vastly experienced team specialised in tissue and organ transplants. A multidisciplinary approach is adopted for Cardiac Insufficiency diagnosis and treatment.
The Heart Transplant team includes heart transplant surgeons and cardiologists, chest diseases, psychiatry, pathologists, anaesthetists, infectious diseases and intensive care unit specialists as well as organ transplant nurses, physiotherapists and dieticians, who collaborate to provide high-quality services.
Patients examined and considered suitable for heart transplant by the Heart Transplant Centre council are put on the heart transplant waiting list, and the lists are periodically reported to the TRNC Ministry of Health Coordination Committee. All patients reported to the TRNC Ministry of Health Coordination Committee are also registered on an international database.