Heart Transplantation Unit

The Heart Transplantation Unit at Sheba, which opened its doors in October 1992, is the most active unit of its kind in Israel. Up to 2018, around 250 heart transplants have been successfully performed there. The unit's heart transplant results align with those of the world's leading transplant centers, both in the short and long term.
 
In 1994, the Heart Transplantation Unit at Sheba was the first in Israel to operate a unique service of ventricular assist device implantation (Ventricular Assist Device) as a bridge to heart transplantation for transplant candidates whose medical condition deteriorates before a donor heart for transplantation is found for them, and it is still the most active unit in the field.
 
In 1994, the Heart Transplantation Unit at Sheba became the first facility in Israel to offer ventricular assist device implantation as a bridge to heart transplantation for transplant candidates whose medical condition deteriorates while awaiting a suitable donor heart. The unit remains the most active in this specialized field.
 
The Heart Transplantation Unit boasts a diverse team of professionals, including cardiologists, heart surgeons, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and physiotherapists. With extensive expertise in caring for heart transplant patients, our team provides comprehensive support throughout the entire treatment journey - from pre-surgical preparation to surgery, recovery, and long-term follow-up.
 
From an academic standpoint, the unit is highly respected in the global heart transplant and cardiac assist device community, thanks to numerous innovative and original research studies conducted within the unit and published in international medical conferences and the best medical journals. 
 
When is a heart transplant required?
 
In cases of advanced heart failure that cannot be treated with medication or surgery, a healthy heart transplant becomes the only life-saving solution. Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to provide the necessary blood output for the body's needs during exertion or at rest, due to a disturbance in the contraction of the left ventricle, the right ventricle, or both ventricles.
 
Good to know: As per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and the decision of the Acceptance Commission, insured individuals from all health insurance funds have the right to choose where to have their transplant. The HMO is not entitled to disapprove the treatment at the hospital you select. If the HMO denies authorization to contact the transplant center at Sheba, the Center for Patient Rights at Sheba will gladly help you get the approval you need.
 
Sign up for an Adi donor card, and get ahead in the line for transplants.