Diagnostic Tests Before the Procedure

Several procedures or tests are usually completed at some point prior to a heart transplant. These tests may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

A test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.

Blood work which may include, but is not limited to:

• blood count
• cardiac isoenzymes (to check for damage to the heart muscle)
• electrolytes (such as potassium, calcium, and sodium)
• bleeding studies (to assess the blood-clotting process)
• kidney function tests
• blood and tissue typing

Chest x-ray

a diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.

• myocardial perfusion study - a type of nuclear scan that uses very small amounts of radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals) to assess the heart's function and structure; two common studies are radionuclide angiography and myocardial perfusion scan.
• echocardiography - a noninvasive (the skin is not pierced) procedure that assesses the heart's function and structures with ultrasonic sound waves.

If you have any type of breathing problems or lung condition, you may have pulmonary function tests done before the procedure to determine how well your lungs will tolerate the surgery.

It is important to arrive at your scheduled time. Your procedure may not begin immediately due to varying lengths of procedures scheduled before your procedure. You will be updated as frequently as possible.