Heart Disease and Transplant

Candidates for a heart transplantation typically have heart failure that hasn’t been resolved through other treatments. Common causes include cardiomyopathy, congenital heart defects and heart damage from a heart attack.

Atlantic Health System’s heart failure program at the Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute at Morristown Medical Center teams up with several heart transplant centers to care for heart transplant patients. The goal of these collaborative programs is to personalize each patient’s evaluation by a team from Morristown Medical Center, who have training in advanced modalities to look for the best treatment options, such as heart transplantation.

Morristown Medical Center works with several of the top heart transplant centers in the Northeast, to expedite care pathways and provide excellent outcomes. Expert care is coordinated between these centers, predominantly in New York City, and Morristown Medical Center, allowing patients to receive most pre- and post- transplant close to home in New Jersey.

Coordinated Care

Morristown Medical Center’s multidisciplinary team, which includes physicians, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses and other specialized clinicians, will evaluate your condition and perform a variety of tests to determine if a heart transplant is the best option for you. We’ll answer any questions you and your family may have. If heart transplantation is determined to be your best option, you will be able to continue receiving care at Morristown Medical Center until a heart becomes available.

Heart Transplant Surgery

When a suitable heart becomes available, you’ll have surgery at the designated transplant center. All transplant referral centers offer innovative surgical approaches, experienced transplant teams and state-of-the-art facilities. Soon after transplant surgery, and once deemed appropriate by both centers, your care may be transferred back to Morristown Medical Center.