Heart transplant

Overview

St. Paul’s Hospital is home to British Columbia’s only heart transplant program.

A heart transplant is when we replace a person’s sick heart with a healthy one from someone who has died. Organ transplants are only possible because of the gift of an organ from a donor and their family.

People who need a heart transplant have heart failure that is end-stage and no longer treatable in any other way. General practitioners (doctors) or cardiologists refer people to St. Paul's Hospital.

Not everyone is suitable for a heart transplant. If there are other things that can be done to help you feel better, they should be done first. If you have a serious disease or condition that a transplant won't help, then it's not right for you. If you have trouble sticking to taking medications or coming to appointments, a heart transplant may not be right for you.

Preparing for the surgery

Once you receive a referral, our medical team will make an appointment to see you. We will determine if you are a suitable candidate for a heart transplant.

If you are a candidate for a heart transplant you will need to wait for a heart. If you are very sick and think a heart won't be found soon enough, we may talk to you about using a mechanical heart. A ventricular assist device (VAD) can gain you some time while you wait for a heart.