CorVasc surgeons are heart transplantation pioneers. Our group performed the first heart transplant in 1982 followed by the first lung transplant in the state of Indiana in 1989. The heart transplant program has continued to be refined and grow by dedicating surgeons to the subspecialty practice of heart transplantation and organ procurement.

Heart transplantation has evolved from an experimental procedure performed in selected centers to the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage heart disease. This rise in the number of transplant surgeries is due to a variety of advances in surgery, tissue preservation, immunology, and infectious disease. The improved outcome of heart transplantation is also due to the highly specialized care provided by a team of medical providers who have made a strong commitment to heart transplantation. Standardized guidelines help cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons identify patients who will likely benefit from heart transplantation.

The patient who is in need of a heart transplant has many complex issues. CorVasc MD's along with the St.Vincent Hospital Heart Transplant teams have put together a special group of professionals who deal specifically with the needs of the transplant candidate and their family. This team includes cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, nurses who serve as the Transplant Coordinators, social workers, and members of the St.Vincent Hospital Pastoral Care departments. One CorVasc cardiothoracic surgeon is dedicated to heart procurement which requires traveling the contiguous continental United States and Canada.

The St.Vincent Hospital transplant program is Medicare approved and has been designated as "Center of Excellence" by some health plans.