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The most common reason for a heart transplant is cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle causing it to pump poorly. Cardiomyopathy can be caused by many things, including coronary artery disease (blocked arteries), viral infections, alcohol abuse, high blood pressure and pregnancy. The heart muscle can also be damaged for unknown reasons, which is called idiopathic cardiomyopathy. In certain cases UT Southwestern Medical Center offers combination heart/lung transplants for patients who have severe end-stage, nonmalignant pulmonary disease in addition to cardiomyopathy.
The purpose of heart transplant surgery is not only to prolong a patient's life, but also to improve the patient's quality of life. Patients referred for heart transplantation usually have exhausted all other medical and/or surgical options and may be quite disabled. Most patients are able to return to a normal, active life within three to six months after their transplant surgery.
The state-of-the-art scientific atmosphere at UT Southwestern offers physicians an almost unparalleled opportunity to be in the forefront of traditional research to develop innovative diagnostic tests and therapeutic advances in the fields of heart failure and heart transplantation.
In addition to heart transplants, some heart disorders treated at UT Southwestern include:
- Congenital heart disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure
Please visit the Health Library to learn more about heart disorders and transplants.
