When a donor, a procurement coordinator from the organ procurement organization becomes involved. Multiple tests and evaluations are done on the donor to determine which organs might be donated for transplant.

If the testing indicates that the heart can be transplanted, United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) determines which patient will receive the heart. The procurement coordinator calls the transplant center where the potential heart transplant recipient is listed.

The transplant cardiologist reviews the information and test results from the donor and decides whether to accept the heart for the intended recipient. If the heart is accepted, the patient is notified and arrangements are made for admission.

The recipient is admitted in preparation for the transplant surgery. A right heart catheterization will be done to assess the patient's heart pressures and heart function. IV medications may be started to improve the heart's function. Numerous blood tests will be done and the patient will be given his fist doses of antirejection medication prior to surgery. The transplant surgery usually lasts six to eight hours.

After the transplant, the patient will be admitted to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for specialized monitoring and care. In about two to three days, the patient is usually stable enough to be transferred to a step-down cardiology unit to begin rehab and education.

The patient's support person will also be involved in the education process. During the next seven to ten days the transplant cardiologist makes adjustments to the antirejection medications and monitor the new heart's function.

Once the patient is medically ready for discharge and teaching is completed, the patient and their support person are discharged. Frequent visits and testing make it necessary for the patient to remain in the Iowa City area for several more weeks before returning to home.