heart transplant

February 2, 2024

Novel device helps extend window of time to preserve hearts donated after cardiac death

In the first such procedure, Vanderbilt University Medical Center has transplanted a DCD (donation after cardiac death) heart using XVIVO Heart Assist Transport (XHAT), a novel cold organ perfusion device.

By Matt Batcheldor
October 5, 2023

Study finds no difference in heart transplant outcomes using organs donated after circulatory death and after brain death

A Vanderbilt study found no difference in one-year survival and other outcomes among heart transplant patients who received their new organs from from donation after circulatory death and donation after brain death.

By Matt Batcheldor
July 7, 2023

Pediatric Heart Transplant Program medical director Debra Dodd retiring

After nearly 40 years and being involved in more than 300 lifesaving transplantations at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Debra Dodd, MD, is retiring.

By Jessica Pasley
Visiting Ukrainian surgeons review the transplant schedule with Dawn Eck, ACNP-BC, MMHC, NEA-BC.
December 8, 2022

Ukrainian surgeons visit VUMC to observe transplant protocols

A group of doctors from Ukraine recently visited Vanderbilt to observe transplants and protocols as part of an initiative to establish a lung transplant program and improve heart transplantation in the war-torn country.

By Matt Batcheldor
Bariatric surgery patient Veronica Llamas-Barajas recently received a heart transplant.
September 15, 2022

Patient’s care journey included LVAD, bariatric surgery, transplant

When Veronica Llamas-Barajas received a heart transplant at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in April, it was the culmination of a seven-year journey.

By Matt Batcheldor
Liz Barnett is one of seven people who received a combined heart/liver transplant at VUMC last year.
February 24, 2022

Heart/liver transplant gives congenital heart disease patient new hope

Last year, Liz Barnett became one of seven people at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to receive a combined heart/liver transplant in 2021.

By Matt Batcheldor
January 20, 2022

Vanderbilt Transplant Center reached new record in 2021

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center established a new record in calendar year 2021 for total solid organ transplants, performing 645 life-saving procedures among its adult and pediatric organ transplant programs.
By Matt Batcheldor
December 15, 2021

Down syndrome patient celebrates anniversary of novel transplant

Vanderbilt patient Joe Eitl was among the first patients in the country with Down syndrome to undergo a heart and liver transplant.
By Matt Batcheldor
August 26, 2021

Family’s gift celebrates those who make transplants possible

All Coleen Leszczynski ever wanted was to be normal. Born with a congenital heart disease (CHD), she labored to breathe, having only three-quarters the oxygen capacity of a healthy person. Still, she fought to live, serving as a cardiac nurse in her native Philadelphia area for more than 16 years. She wanted to help people like her.
By Matt Batcheldor
January 12, 2021

VUMC now leads world in heart transplantation

Vanderbilt University Medical Center performed more heart transplants in 2020 than any other center in the world — 124 adult hearts, 23 pediatric hearts and VUMC’s first heart-lung transplant since 2006.
By Matt Batcheldor
October 8, 2020

COVID patient’s heart-lung transplant is world’s first

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has performed the world’s first dual heart-lung transplant of a COVID-19 patient.
By Matt Batcheldor
August 26, 2020

Four heart transplants performed in whirlwind 48 hours

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center’s cardiac surgeons transplanted four hearts in one 48-hour stretch in August, thanks to VUMC’s perfusion and organ recovery teams traveling more than 4,000 miles across the country to obtain the donor organs.
By Matt Batcheldor
August 12, 2020

Congenital heart patient receives unexpected transplant

For years, doctors told Piper Davis it was impossible to have a heart transplant. She was born with just one ventricle, or pumping chamber, instead of two. A generation ago, such patients didn’t survive into adulthood.
By Matt Batcheldor
1 2 3 4