Cardiac transplantation: University of South Florida--Tampa General Hospital experience.

Cardiac transplantation has evolved from an experimental procedure to an accepted mode of therapy that prolongs life in patients with severe heart failure. The University of South Florida-Tampa General Hospital began performing cardiac transplantation for the treatment of end-stage cardiac disease in June 1985. Since then 42 heart transplantations have been performed and 30 patients are alive and well. The one-year actuarial survival is 78.73% and the two-year actuarial survival is 72.15%. Multiple complications have been encountered most notably rejection and infection. The recent approval of the USF/TGH program as a Medicare funded cardiac transplantation center is expected to greatly expand the number of potential recipients and will provide the residents of Florida, and the Southeastern United States, with an additional health care resource.