The Heart Transplantation Unit

The Heart Transplantation Unit of the Department of Cardiac Surgery is the largest of its kind in Israel. Since 1992, we have performed more than 150 heart transplantations with success rates rivaling the best and most advanced Western medical centers. Currently more than 70% of all heart transplants in Israel are listed with us.

Since 1994 our unit has been the first unit of its kind in Israel providing the option of Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) implantation to candidates for heart transplantation who deteriorate rapidly while waiting for their transplant and face imminent risk of sudden death. As of today our unit is still the most active in Israel in this field, with some 40 patients having been bridged so far to heart transplantation. With the fully implanted Left VAD, some of these patients were discharged from hospital and returned to their normal daily activities while waiting for transplant.

We conduct intensive basic science research projects in which novel materials, called anti-freeze proteins, are being tested as potential additives to the preservation solution of the donated hearts, which are preserved at subzero temperatures. These proteins, extracted from the blood of arctic fish who survive in subzero temperatures, enable the preservation time hearts to 24 hours, far beyond the 4 hour preservation time today.

Number of Transplants

•  150