#United States #Atlanta #Piedmont Heart #Heart Transplants #LVAD

Piedmont Heart Institute Achieves Historic Milestone

In a remarkable achievement for cardiac care, the Piedmont Heart Institute has set an organizational record by performing 103 heart transplants at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital in 2024. This milestone highlights the institute's ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in heart health, further establishing it as a leader in the field.

Since the inception of its heart transplant program in 2012, Piedmont has successfully completed more than 375 heart transplants, positioning itself among the top transplant centers in the United States. Only three other centers across the nation perform more heart transplants than Piedmont.

In addition to this record number of transplants, the institute also noted its highest volume to date in Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implants last year. This achievement keeps Piedmont at the forefront, being recognized as the No. 1 program in the country by volume.

Dr. Ezequiel J. Molina, the director of Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation at Piedmont, attributes this success to their focus on equitable access and a responsible organ acceptance approach. He stated, "Our emphasis on equitable access, in combination with implementing a responsible assertive organ acceptance approach has led to superb post-transplant outcomes."

The institute's new strategies have resulted in shorter wait times for patients, a remarkable decrease in waiting list mortality rates, and the highest one-year survival rates in Georgia. The increase in heart transplant numbers represents a 29% growth from the previous year, showcasing Piedmont's dedication to enhancing patient care.

As part of their commitment to innovative solutions, Piedmont has recently launched a dual organ transplant program for heart and kidney transplants, successfully completing 13 procedures in 2024. They have also initiated a heart/liver transplant program, further expanding their capabilities and providing comprehensive care for patients with complex conditions.

Dr. David Kandzari, the Chief of Piedmont Heart Institute, expressed pride in the team's achievements, saying, "Our team is passionate about finding new ways to serve our patients, and it is reflected in the volumes we have seen the past two years."

To facilitate these accomplishments, Piedmont relies significantly on contributions from LifeLink of Georgia, their Organ Procurement Organization, which plays a crucial role in enabling successful transplants.

Heart failure is a critical health issue, with over 6 million adults in the U.S. currently affected, particularly among older populations. Contributing factors include chronic conditions such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes, compounded by sedentary lifestyles and poor dietary habits.

Listeners can learn more about Piedmont's innovative approaches and success stories by tuning into Dr. Molina on Piedmont's latest Living Real Change podcast.

Dr. Molina stated, "As a top destination for cardiac care and an international leader in cardiovascular research, Piedmont Heart is committed to providing high-quality cardiovascular care to patients nationwide. With the growth of our program, we aim to assist even more individuals dealing with heart failure."

Currently, there are 3,751 Americans on the waiting list for a heart transplant, underscoring the importance of continued advancements in transplant programs like those at Piedmont.