Germany has performed a grand total of 15,000 heart transplantations to date.
Over the past decade, approximately 5,000 new heart patients have joined the organ donor waitlist, while only around 3,200 heart transplants have been carried out. By the end of July this year, 684 individuals were waiting for a heart transplant, while only 201 procedures were performed throughout the first seven months.
The first heart transplant in Germany took place on February 13, 1969, after South African heart surgeon Christiaan Barnard conducted the world's first successful heart transplant in December 1967. A second heart transplant took place in Germany in the same year, but the overall disappointing outcomes led to a halt in these procedures for over a decade. Since 1981, heart transplantation has experienced a resurgence, largely due to improved results and the introduction of advanced immunosuppressants.
"Heart transplantation continues to be the most effective treatment option for critically ill heart patients in the advanced stages of their disease," stated Jan Gummert from the German Transplantation Society. In the absence of a suitable donor organ, contemporary life support systems can provide an acceptable quality of life until a heart becomes available. Yet, they are no substitute for a donor heart. According to Gummert, "unfortunately, the number of donor organs in Germany remains insufficient."
In the past, a halt in heart transplantations occurred in Germany due to disappointing outcomes, lasting for over a decade. Despite the insufficient number of donor organs in Germany, contemporary life support systems can provide an acceptable quality of life for heart patients until a donor heart becomes available.
