Heart transplantation remains the treatment of choice for many patients with end-stage heart failure. Heart transplant volume in the United States had remained relatively stable from the early 1990s until 2012, falling in the 2,100-2,200 transplants per year range. Since that time, there has been consistent annual growth, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, 4,111 heart transplants were performed in the U.S. and over 6,000 worldwide, including 491 pediatric (<18 years) patients in the U.S. (asamonitor.pub/37XeH3A; J Heart Lung Transplant 2021;40:1035-49). However, despite the increase in heart transplants, there continues to be a shortage, with over 3,300 patients remaining on the waitlist in the U.S. alone.
Heart transplantation is a complex undertaking involving much more than just the transplant itself. From the initial patient selection and the entirety of their perioperative care, it requires multidisciplinary collaboration, with anesthesiologists playing a crucial role throughout the process. Once...
