Heart Transplant Clinic

The Heart Transplant Clinic cares for patients on the Transplant Waitlist, and after their heart transplant. 

Referral for Transplant Evaluation

Patient being referred for transplant evaluation will be seen in the Heart Function Clinic.  During this evaluation, patients are assessed to determine if they need a transplant and to make sure there are no contraindications for a heart transplant. If you are being referred for the evaluation, it does not mean you are on the transplant waitlist. You must first undergo numerous tests. A multidisciplinary team will review your results to determine if you are a candidate for a transplant.

Your physician’s office should send your referral for transplant evaluation to the Heart Function clinic. They should include your complete medical history, an updated medication list, and any relevant testing. Your physician’s office may fax the referral to Heart Function Clinic at 613-696-7159.

Heart Function Clinic Referral Form (PDF)

What to Expect

For a Transplant Evaluation:

If you are being evaluated for a heart transplant, you must complete several tests and assessments. Depending on your medical situation, you may complete these tests and assessments as an inpatient or as an outpatient. 

Some examples of tests you may need to complete:

Once your testing is complete, our Transplant Committee will review your case. The Transplant Committee is a multidisciplinary committee including transplant cardiologists, surgeons, registered nurses, a psychologist, a social worker, and other allied healthcare professionals. The committee will discuss if you require transplantation, if you have any contraindications to transplant, and whether transplantation is in your best interest. The committee relays its review to you and your referring physician and informs you whether you are a candidate for heart transplantation.  If the committee decides to proceed with transplantation, it will provide you with more education about the transplant process before you are placed on the waitlist.

For Patients on the Heart Transplant Waitlist:

As a patient on the waitlist, a cardiologist may see you every one to three months. The frequency of your visits will depend on your condition.

You will undergo regular testing while you wait for a heart to ensure your condition has not changed. These tests may include the following: 

  • Computed tomography (CT) scan of your chest and abdomen
  • Referrals to a psychologist, social worker, dietitian, physiotherapist, and other specialists
  • Right heart catheterization may be required every six months
  • Urine samples
  • Bloodwork specific to transplant every 3 months
  • Seasonal vaccines
  • Cardiac Rehabilitation Pre Transplant optimization program

Your cardiologist may request additional tests or procedures depending on your condition. 

While you are on the list, you may become ill now and then. You should call the Pre-transplant Nurse Specialist or the VAD RN coordinator if you experience any of the following:

  • Cold, flu or fever
  • Infection that requires antibiotics
  • Blood transfusion
  • Hospitalization
  • Increasing signs and symptoms of heart failure

If you are hospitalized, let the doctors or nurses know that you are on the waiting list for a heart and ask them to call the UOHI. It is important for you to keep the transplant team up to date on your status. This will ensure that you are in the best condition possible for your transplant. Changes in your health may affect your status on the list.

For Post-Transplant Patients:

You must undergo weekly bloodwork for approximately four weeks after discharge from the hospital. If your condition remains stable, the frequency of this testing will decrease. The Transplant Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) will provide further information about this process. All patients will require fasting bloodwork every three months.

You will require many heart biopsies to monitor for signs of rejection. You must complete one biopsy before you leave the hospital. The rest are performed on an outpatient basis.

The following schedule is typical for biopsies, but this may change depending on your condition:

  • Weekly for the first month.
  • Every two weeks in the second month.
  • At three, six, nine, 12, 18, and 24 months.
  • If treated for rejection, you will have a biopsy two weeks after that treatment.

The APN will relay your biopsy results and any medication changes to you.

For the first year post-transplant, you will see a cardiologist in the clinic every one to three months. After one year, you will visit the clinic every six to twelve months, or more frequently if needed. 

Transplant patients undergo annual testing after their operation. Annual testing includes:

You may require an angiogram in the first and fifth year after your transplant, or as needed. Your cardiologist will make this decision for you.

Your cardiologist will decide if additional testing is required.

Patient Instructions

We encourage you to sign up for MyChart to access information about upcoming appointments and test results.  

Please bring an up-to-date list of your medications to your clinic appointment. Review your medications at home to see if you need refills before you come to your clinic appointment.

You will receive a notification through your MyChart account or a phone call with the date and time of your next follow-up. 

Please contact the Pre-Transplant Nurse Specialist or the Post-Transplant Nurse/ APN for any health concerns or questions about your upcoming appointments. 

Patient Resources

At the Heart Institute:

Other Organizations:

Clinic details

Location

Second floor of the Heart Institute, in clinics A and B

Hours of operation

Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Contact

  • For appointment booking, please call 613-696-7079 ext. 1.
  • For the Pre-transplant Nurse Specialist, call 613-696-7000 ext. 14337.
  • For the Post-transplant nurse and Transplant APN, call 613-696-7079 ext. 2.
  • Fax: 613-696-7165 

Directors

Clinic staff

Transplant Cardiologists:

Transplant Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)
Kyla Brown

Pre-Transplant Nurse Specialist
Sandra Wong

Post-Transplant Nurse
Manal Araji

Transplant Clinic Clerk
Sheridan Wright