A Day in The Life Of a Cardiac Transplant Surgeon

A typical working day in cardiac transplant surgery often begins before the day officially starts.

Late the night before, the pager sounds—sharp and unmistakable. A donor offer has come in. Even after years in transplant surgery, that moment commands full attention. It signals that somewhere a family is experiencing profound loss, and somewhere else a patient with end-stage heart disease may be approaching a rare opportunity.

The review is immediate and meticulous. Donor age, cause of death, cardiac function, hemodynamics, laboratory values, imaging, anticipated ischemic time, and logistical feasibility are all assessed. This is never a reflexive decision. The central question is not simply whether the heart is viable, but whether it is the right heart for a specific recipient at that specific moment. Judgment, experience, and responsibility converge quickly. Complete article in April 2026 Surgery Synopsis newsletter

 

John Dimarakis, MD, PhD, MEBCTS, FACS, FRCS, CTh
Associate Professor
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Lester and Connie LeRoss Endowed Professor in Cardiovascular Surgery