At the transplant centre

Find out about getting admitted to hospital for heart transplant surgery and when you can go home

Key points

If you receive an offer of a heart, you will be asked to come to the transplant centre
Tests will be done to see if the heart is suitable
Heart transplant surgery takes about 4-6 hours
Most patients need to stay in hospital for at least 14-21 days

Being admitted to the heart transplant centre

What happens when you arrive at the transplant centre?

Get prepared for your transplant

How is heart transplant surgery performed?

Find out what happens during the transplant operation.

Learn about the transplant operation

Recovery at the transplant centre

What can you expect after heart transplant surgery and when can you go home?

How long will you be in hospital?

Writing to your donor’s family

After a heart transplant, many patients like to write to their donor’s family. Please speak to the nurses and doctors looking after you to get advice on how to do this.

Guidance on writing to your donor's family