Regular check-ups prior to transplantation

During the waiting period, check-ups must take place regularly, about every 3 months. In addition, right heart catheterisation should be performed every 6 months. The results are forwarded in writing to the transplant centre. If these tests show a change in the patient’s status (e.g. not transplantable in the short term because of infection or removal from the list because of a substantial improvement in condition), this is naturally discussed in detail between the transplant centre specialists and the patient. Patients can also contribute during the waiting period to the success of the future transplant: giving up alcohol and smoking prevents further progression of lung, vascular, heart and liver damage. Avoidance of large crowds of people diminishes the risk of flu-type infections, especially in winter.

Nevertheless, temporary illnesses such as a febrile infection or bronchitis, stomach ulcer or injury due to an accident must be reported promptly to the transplant centre. The transplant centre can then assess the severity of this disease and notify the patient as non-transplantable if necessary. During this NT period, the patient will not be offered any organ. If this NT period is limited to less than 4 weeks, this does not lead to any loss of the waiting period.