Age should not be a factor in determining transplant eligibility say researchers ,as a recent study has shown that older heart transplant patients do just as well as their younger counterparts.
Researchers evaluated all 275 adult patients who received a heart transplant at the University of Alberta Hospital between 1990 and 2000. The patients' mortality and morbidity rates were followed for up to 11 years following surgery. Results showed no statistically significant success rate differences between the 50 patients older than 60 who received a heart transplant and the 125 transplant patients younger than 60. The factors found hindering heart transplant eligibility were smoking, drug and alcohol addiction, excessive weight and mental disease .In conclusion researchers say age should not be considered a contraindication and they say that if the patient meets all the criteria [to be on a waiting list], age shouldn't prevent them from getting a new heart that could give them new life .
