Heart Transplant Success/Rejection | Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, New Jersey
Archived: 2026-04-23 16:41
Heart Transplant Success/Rejection | Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, New Jersey
Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program
Treatment & Care
Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Care
Programs and Specialties
Heart Transplantation and ...
Heart Transplant Success/Rejection
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Heart Transplant Success/Rejection
A heart transplant replaces a diseased or damaged heart with a healthy
new one from a donor. The first year after surgery is the most important.
Approximately 85 to 90 percent of heart transplant patients are alive
and well one year after their procedure. The annual death rate is approximately
4 percent after the first year. Nearly 75 percent of patients live 3 years
or longer. Some patients may live 30 years or longer after their procedure.
Numerous factors influence heart transplant success rate.
The Newark Beth Israel Heart Transplant Program team notes that recipient
factors are those that involve the patient or recipient of the new heart.
They include:
The need for artificial breathing support (ventilator)
Heart conditions
The need for a ventricular assist device
Weight, underweight or obese individuals are at an increased risk of complications
Donor factors are those that involve the donor of the heart or the actual
heart itself. They include:
Gender – female donors tend to have a greater one-year mortality
Age, coronary artery disease risk is increased in hearts from donors over
40-years-old
The presence or absence of left ventricular thickening (left ventricular
hypertrophy) in the donor's heart
Elevated blood levels of heart muscle damage indicators, troponin I and
T, increase the risk of early heart failure
Factors that contribute to a successful heart transplant
Newark Beth Israel heart transplant patients are encouraged to take charge
of their health and recovery. Newark Beth Israel heart transplant patients
receive guidance, support, and advice in regards to:
Taking immunosuppressants.
Medications that suppress the immune system, thereby decreasing the chances
of the body rejecting the donor's heart.
Taking other medications.
Medications are given to improve heart and overall health.
Cardiac rehabilitation.
Exercise and education aid in recovery and improve overall health.
Lifestyle modifications.
Healthy changes increase survival rates and improve quality of life.
Heart transplant rejection
The immune system identifies and attacks foreign invaders, like bacteria
and viruses, to keep the body healthy. Heart transplant rejection occurs
when the immune system recognizes the donor heart as a foreign invader
and mounts an attack against it.
Causes
In some cases, not taking immunosuppressants as prescribed can be the cause
of heart transplant rejection. Other times, the cause of heart transplant
rejection may be unknown.
Symptoms
Newark Beth Israel Heart Transplant specialists explain that symptoms often
do not present before a heart transplant rejection, which is why patients
need to attend all of their post-operative appointments. During postoperative
appointments, comprehensive screening measures take place to ensure the
body is accepting the new heart, including:
A recent health history and physical exam.
Routine biopsies- look for signs of heart transplant rejection.
Blood tests- check for genes that may be related to heart transplant rejection.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
-
monitors the heart rhythm.
Echocardiogram
-
evaluates heart function.
If symptoms do present, they may include:
Fatigue
Weakness
Fever or chills
Shortness of breath
Low blood pressure
Weight gain
Dizziness
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Swelling of the feet, hands, or ankles
Flu-like symptoms, aches, and pains
Decreased urine output
Treatment
Once a diagnosis of rejection is made, the Newark Beth Israel heart transplant
team can prescribe a treatment plan. Considering rejection severity, rejection
type, symptoms, and current medications, a provider may:
Increase the dose of current medications
Prescribe a new medication, with or without discontinuing current medications
Prescribe IV (intravenous) medication
Newark Beth Israel’s heart transplant patients may be prescribed
plasmapheresis if antibodies are the cause of heart transplant rejection.Adhering
to your provider's instructions is an important part of the heart transplant
recovery process. Taking medications as prescribed, regularly attending
scheduled post-operative appointments, and living a heart-healthy lifestyle
improve the chances of heart transplant success.
Our Quality
Testimonials
Appointments
LVADs are a bridge to transplant for so many of our patients who are living with heart failure. Today, through this new procedure, we can significantly extend and enhance their life while they wait for transplant.
Grady
Read More
Tarik is doing well and he is excited to eat a meal outside of a hospital bed. He is also looking forward to returning to the gym and getting back to work.
Tarik
Read More
“I could not believe it when I received the call on a Sunday afternoon,” said Ian. “The nurses and doctors that took care of me before, during and post-surgery are unbelievable."
Ian
Read More
View All Heart Transplant Stories
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
View All Posts
Mar 23, 2026
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Health to Spotlight Expansive Cardiovascular Research at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session & Expo
Jan 16, 2026
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Vascular Non-Invasive Laboratory Receives 30 Year Milestone Gold Recognition from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for Its Long-Term Commitment to Quality Vascular Testing
Aug 22, 2025
Keep Chronic Diseases in Check
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View Doctors
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark
,
NJ
07112
USA
(973) 926-7000
Get Directions
Hours
Open 24 hours
(973) 926-7205
Not finding the treatment you're looking for?
View All Services
Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program
Treatment & Care
Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Care
Programs and Specialties
Heart Transplantation and ...
Heart Transplant Success/Rejection
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Heart Transplant Success/Rejection
A heart transplant replaces a diseased or damaged heart with a healthy
new one from a donor. The first year after surgery is the most important.
Approximately 85 to 90 percent of heart transplant patients are alive
and well one year after their procedure. The annual death rate is approximately
4 percent after the first year. Nearly 75 percent of patients live 3 years
or longer. Some patients may live 30 years or longer after their procedure.
Numerous factors influence heart transplant success rate.
The Newark Beth Israel Heart Transplant Program team notes that recipient
factors are those that involve the patient or recipient of the new heart.
They include:
The need for artificial breathing support (ventilator)
Heart conditions
The need for a ventricular assist device
Weight, underweight or obese individuals are at an increased risk of complications
Donor factors are those that involve the donor of the heart or the actual
heart itself. They include:
Gender – female donors tend to have a greater one-year mortality
Age, coronary artery disease risk is increased in hearts from donors over
40-years-old
The presence or absence of left ventricular thickening (left ventricular
hypertrophy) in the donor's heart
Elevated blood levels of heart muscle damage indicators, troponin I and
T, increase the risk of early heart failure
Factors that contribute to a successful heart transplant
Newark Beth Israel heart transplant patients are encouraged to take charge
of their health and recovery. Newark Beth Israel heart transplant patients
receive guidance, support, and advice in regards to:
Taking immunosuppressants.
Medications that suppress the immune system, thereby decreasing the chances
of the body rejecting the donor's heart.
Taking other medications.
Medications are given to improve heart and overall health.
Cardiac rehabilitation.
Exercise and education aid in recovery and improve overall health.
Lifestyle modifications.
Healthy changes increase survival rates and improve quality of life.
Heart transplant rejection
The immune system identifies and attacks foreign invaders, like bacteria
and viruses, to keep the body healthy. Heart transplant rejection occurs
when the immune system recognizes the donor heart as a foreign invader
and mounts an attack against it.
Causes
In some cases, not taking immunosuppressants as prescribed can be the cause
of heart transplant rejection. Other times, the cause of heart transplant
rejection may be unknown.
Symptoms
Newark Beth Israel Heart Transplant specialists explain that symptoms often
do not present before a heart transplant rejection, which is why patients
need to attend all of their post-operative appointments. During postoperative
appointments, comprehensive screening measures take place to ensure the
body is accepting the new heart, including:
A recent health history and physical exam.
Routine biopsies- look for signs of heart transplant rejection.
Blood tests- check for genes that may be related to heart transplant rejection.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
-
monitors the heart rhythm.
Echocardiogram
-
evaluates heart function.
If symptoms do present, they may include:
Fatigue
Weakness
Fever or chills
Shortness of breath
Low blood pressure
Weight gain
Dizziness
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Swelling of the feet, hands, or ankles
Flu-like symptoms, aches, and pains
Decreased urine output
Treatment
Once a diagnosis of rejection is made, the Newark Beth Israel heart transplant
team can prescribe a treatment plan. Considering rejection severity, rejection
type, symptoms, and current medications, a provider may:
Increase the dose of current medications
Prescribe a new medication, with or without discontinuing current medications
Prescribe IV (intravenous) medication
Newark Beth Israel’s heart transplant patients may be prescribed
plasmapheresis if antibodies are the cause of heart transplant rejection.Adhering
to your provider's instructions is an important part of the heart transplant
recovery process. Taking medications as prescribed, regularly attending
scheduled post-operative appointments, and living a heart-healthy lifestyle
improve the chances of heart transplant success.
Our Quality
Testimonials
Appointments
LVADs are a bridge to transplant for so many of our patients who are living with heart failure. Today, through this new procedure, we can significantly extend and enhance their life while they wait for transplant.
Grady
Read More
Tarik is doing well and he is excited to eat a meal outside of a hospital bed. He is also looking forward to returning to the gym and getting back to work.
Tarik
Read More
“I could not believe it when I received the call on a Sunday afternoon,” said Ian. “The nurses and doctors that took care of me before, during and post-surgery are unbelievable."
Ian
Read More
View All Heart Transplant Stories
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
Watch Testimonial
View All Posts
Mar 23, 2026
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Health to Spotlight Expansive Cardiovascular Research at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session & Expo
Jan 16, 2026
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Vascular Non-Invasive Laboratory Receives 30 Year Milestone Gold Recognition from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for Its Long-Term Commitment to Quality Vascular Testing
Aug 22, 2025
Keep Chronic Diseases in Check
menu
View Doctors
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
201 Lyons Avenue at Osborne Terrace
Newark
,
NJ
07112
USA
(973) 926-7000
Get Directions
Hours
Open 24 hours
(973) 926-7205
Not finding the treatment you're looking for?
View All Services