Newark Beth Israel Medical Center's experience in Heart Transplantation dates to 1986. The first transplant performed by the current team took place on February 23, 1990. As of December 15, 1996, over 145 heart transplants have been performed at the Medical Center. Survival data for the past 27 months, representing 43 transplants has been excellent, with 96% of patients surviving 30 days compared to 92% and greater than 88% of patients surviving 12 and 24 months, respectively, compared to 81% and 75% nationally. In recognition of these excellent results, in February 1996 the United States Health Care Financing Agency bestowed upon the Medical Center the imprimatur of "Medicare Certification."

In addition to performing New Jersey's first heart transplant, the Medical Center has has performed 28 lung transplants, implanted 27 HeartMate left ventricular assist devices, supported 11 patients with ECMO, and served as an investigational site for the ABIOMED Biventricular Support System, designed for use with in patients unable to be weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass at the time of bypass support.

The Heart Transplant Program works closely with the Heart Failure Program to ensure that state of the art medical therapy is available as well. Research studies using Amlodipine, Valsantan, Losartan, Mibefradil, and Vesnarinone are either currently underway or recently completed. For further information, contact Dr. Hillel S. Ribner at 201-926-7890