Donor Heart Facts

Heart transplantation is the current standard of care for end-stage heart failure. However, over the last 20 years, despite growing demand, the supply of donor hearts has remained flat. Only about 2,200 donor hearts become available each year in the U.S. and about 3,500 worldwide.

Similar to a donor heart transplant, the Total Artificial Heart is the only device that eliminates the symptoms and source of end-stage biventricular failure. The Total Artificial Heart replaces both failing heart ventricles and the four native heart valves. However, unlike a donor heart, the Total Artificial Heart is instantly available at SynCardia Certified Centers and doesn’t require anti-rejection medication.

U.S.

• In 2009, the average waiting time for a donor heart for a SynCardia Total Artificial Heart patient in the U.S. was 144 days.  ››  learn more
• About 3,100 people in the United States are on the waiting list for a heart transplant on any given day. Only 2,200 donor hearts are available each year.  ›› learn more
• 48% of people listed for a donor heart in the U.S. have been waiting for more than a year.
• 13% have been waiting for 5+ years.  ›› learn more

Europe

• Less than 600 donor hearts become available each year in Europe and only about 3,500 worldwide.  ›› learn more
• 48% of people listed for a donor heart have been waiting for more than a year.  ›› learn more
• 26% have been waiting for 2+ years. ›› learn more
• Up to 20% of patients die on the waiting list because no suitable donor heart is available in time.  ›› learn more
  
  (Source: Eurotransplant International Foundation. Data as of Dec. 31, 2008 - includes Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Slovenia)